Neonic replacement could be just as harmful to bees

A new class of pesticides expected to replace neonicotinoids could have similarly damaging effects on pollinating bees, researchers have warned.

Sulfoximine-based pesticides, which are already approved for use in several EU member states, were shown to affect bumblebees’ reproduction rates and colony fitness.

Sulfoxaflor and neonicotinoid pesticides share a common biological mode of action, said the authors of the research published by Nature on Thursday.