Researchers Question Widespread Use of Neonic Seed Treatments

Advances in precision agriculture and genetically modified crops can help farmers cut back on field inputs, but other factors have caused a concerning rise in the use of some insecticides since the early 2000s.

Neonicotoids in seed treatments are a type of insectide that has seen a dramatic increase in farm use over the past two decades, said John Tooker, a Penn State entomology professor and director of the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management program.