More than 500 million bees have died in Brazil

More than 500 million bees have died in Brazil over the past three months – the BBC website reported.

In the federal state of Rio Grande do Sul alone, 400 million bees were found dead, with beekeepers reporting mass destruction of colonies in four states.

Researchers are explaining mass killings using neonicotinoid and fipronil-containing insecticides. Insecticides with this active ingredient have already been banned in Europe, and the European Union banned neonicotinoids in April last year because of their serious damage to bees. (MTI)