Imidacloprid was the first of the neonicotinoids to be approved for agricultural use (in 1994), and since then, its use in the United States, as well as that of other neonicotinoids, has increased greatly.   

Colony loss monitoring does not show a correlation with the use pattern of pesticides. In Canada, where most honey production is from bees foraging on canola, hive numbers and productivity have increased steadily since neonicotinoid-treated canola seed were introduced. In contrast, high colony losses have occurred on Vancouver Island, where agrochemical use is virtually non-existent. 

Neonicotinoids are used in Australia, where honey bee losses have not occurred. Conversely, imidacloprid use was restricted in France beginning in 1999, yet reduced survival rates of adult honey bees have continued to be observed since that time.

PLB

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