Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, have been implicated in CCD due to their widespread use and impact on bee health. These systemic insecticides are absorbed by plants and can be found in pollen and nectar, which bees consume. Neonicotinoids affect the central nervous system of insects, leading to disorientation, impaired foraging behavior, and ultimately, death. Studies have shown that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids can weaken bee immune systems and make them more susceptible to pathogens, thus contributing to CCD.
