North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

Pesticides pose a significant threat to bees primarily due to their chemical composition and the manner in which they are used in agricultural settings. Many pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, have been shown to be highly toxic to bees, impacting their ability to forage, navigate, and reproduce. The exposure to these chemicals can lead to acute poisoning or chronic effects that weaken colonies over time, making them more susceptible to diseases and other stressors.

In addition to direct toxicity, pesticide application often coincides with flowering plants, creating a situation where bees come into contact with these harmful substances while they are actively foraging. This presents a critical challenge as bees play an essential role in pollination, and their decline can have widespread implications for food production and biodiversity.

While water pollution, deforestation, and climate change are indeed serious environmental issues affecting bee populations, the specific harm caused by pesticides, particularly in direct exposure and the systemic effects on bee health, makes them a standout threat in the context of beekeeping and conservation efforts.