One keydriving force behindbeedestruction in Europe and North America has beena type of mite, the varroa destructor pest, whichattacksbeesand that beekeepers struggle tocontrol, Neumannsaid.
To investigate, scientists looked at two common pesticides: neonicotinoids, which are used to control pests on oil seed rape and other crops, and a group of organophosphate chemicals called coumaphos, which are used to kill the Varroa mite, a parasite that attacks the honey bee.