Pesticide residues in ornamental plants marketed as bee friendly: Levels in flowers, leaves, roots and soil

 

Pesticide residues have been widely detected in ornamental plants marketed as bee-friendly, raising concerns about unintended risks to pollinators. Analyses of flowers, leaves, roots, and associated potting soils reveal that multiple systemic and contact pesticides—particularly neonicotinoids, fungicides, and insect growth regulators—can persist across plant tissues. Flowers often contain residues at levels capable of exposing bees through nectar and pollen, while leaves and roots frequently show even higher concentrations due to systemic uptake and long-term accumulation. Soil and growing media act as reservoirs, enabling continuous transfer of pesticides into plant tissues even when foliar applications have ceased. These findings highlight a critical gap between “bee-friendly” labeling and actual chemical safety, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations, transparent labeling, and residue-free production practices to truly protect pollinators in urban and garden ecosystems.

#BeeFriendlyPlants #PesticideResidues #PollinatorHealth #OrnamentalPlants #Neonicotinoids #UrbanEcology #SoilContamination #PlantProtection #SustainableHorticulture #BiodiversityProtection#WorldResearchAwards

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