In this work we identify a possible underlying mechanism for the harmful effects of pesticides on the honeybee health. In a brain imaging study we observed that bees actually loose their sense of smell under the influence of the world's most used pesticide Imidacloprid. This may be connected to previously observed behavioural effects like the impairment of memory, navigation, or communication capabilities.

Andrione, M., Vallortigara, G., Renzo, A., and Haase, A. (2016), Neonicotinoid-induced impairment of odour coding in the honeybee. Sci. Rep. 6, 38110; doi: 10.1038/srep38110