The issue of pesticides was considered and some countries did pass legislation based on it. While intuitively the connection between pesticides and insect popu

The issue of pesticides was considered and some countries did pass legislation based on it. While intuitively the connection between pesticides and insect population collapse looks attractive, the facts are a little more murky. Some scientists suspected that neonectide pesticides were linked to the decline in insect populations, particularly bees. Despite the fact that this connection was not fully proven, many EU countries banned the use of neonectide pesticides in 2013. While bee populations recovered slightly, the issue is that bee populations started recovering before the ban was even issued. Also the recovery was also felt in Canada, where there was no pesticide ban 1. This suggests that the decline in bee population was more related to climate than to insecticides . . . suggesting similar possibilities for other insects. Yes insecticides kill insects but I don't think that's enough to conclude that they are causing the general massive collapse in insect colonies - which is a relatively recent phenomenon, while insecticides have been used for quite some time. 1. http://www.agprofessional.com/news/bee-population-rising-around-world* http://www.agprofessional.com/news/bee-population-rising-aro...