Pollination versus pesticide

Some New Zealand pollination beekeepers are facing a pesticide problem, according to the NZ Beekeeping Industry Group. Some colonies are said to be losing up to 80% of their flying bees to carbaryl, an insecticide used to control codling moth and as a thinning agent for unwanted apples. Although it is illegal to use the spray on trees still in flower, orchardists seem not to be telling their neighbours when they are spraying.

Death by carbaryl has been happening for some years but is now being compounded by varroa losses in North Island. The problem is of particular concern in the orchards of Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty and Nelson.