Almost every pest organism, from weeds to rats, seems able to develop resistance to chemicals used to kill them. Yet honeybees seem unable to resist the chemicals said to be contributing to their decline. Why?
• One reason why organisms are deemed to be pests is their rapid rate of reproduction. Big populations that reproduce quickly increase the likelihood of genetic mutations in their offspring and thus their capability of developing resistance. This is why bacteria are able to develop resistance to antibiotics.
Honeybees don’t share this feature. Only one female in a hive – the queen – reproduces, and the colony can be considered a…
