The Guardian newspaper report:-
“Insects’ acquired taste for pesticide-laced food is similar to nicotine addiction in smokers, say scientists.
Bumblebees acquire a taste for pesticide-laced food that can be compared to nicotine addiction in smokers, say scientists. The more of the nicotine-like chemicals they consume, the more they appear to want, a study has shown. The findings suggest that the risk of potentially harmful pesticide-contaminated nectar entering bee colonies is higher than was previously thought.
In a series of studies, a team of British researchers offered bumblebees a choice of two sugar solutions, one of which was laced with neonicotinoid pesticides. They found that over time the bees increasingly preferred feeders containing the pesticide-flavoured sugar.”
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/285/1885/20180655
Bee Friendly Monmouthshire 