Abstract

The presence of undesirable compounds in honey and other bee products may modify their biological attributes. Such molecules may be present because of different human activities (i.e., pollutants, pesticides) or because of veterinary treatments designed to control and prevent diseases that affect bees. The use of pesticides in agricultural crops has been related with negative effects with and acute damages for bees. The widespread agricultural use of neonicotinoids is a common exposure pathway for bees, and it may be an important factor in declining bee health. In 2013, the European Union has forbidden the use of three pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoids: Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, and Clothianidin after the analysis of several scientific results of some studies where those pesticides were involved in an increased death of bees.