Grasslands were once a dominant feature of Canada's landscape, extending across most of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with smaller expanses in the Yukon, the interior of British Columbia, and in eastern Ontario. Now, virtually all of these grasslands have been extensively modified for agricultural production with only scattered patches left undisturbed. Our current knowledge of grassland arthropods largely is limited to species of economic importance; usually exotic species or native species that have become agricultural pests. There exists relatively little information on the arthropods of native grasslands, such that we know little about their biodiversity, their role in ecosystems, and their ability to respond to habitat change.

The European Commission has proposed that member states restrict the use of certain classes of pesticide that are believed to be harmful to bees. Sprays that use neonicotinoid chemicals should only be used on crops that are not attractive to the insects they said. The sale of seeds treated with these chemicals should also be prohibited. Earlier this month, the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) issued guidance on the use of neonicotinoids, in which they recognised "high acute risks" to bees who encountered residue from these sprays in pollen and nectar in crops like oilseed rape and sunflowers. They also said there were risks to bees from dust in crops like maize that had been sprayed with these pesticides.

In the spring of 2012, coinciding with corn planting, there were approximately 200 incidences of what was likely acute poisoning of honey bees in Ontario. Many factors may have contributed to these incidences. Environmental conditions and planting practices during the 2012 planting season may play a significant role. Unfortunately, without being present in each field at the time of planting to collect data, there may never be conclusive evidence as to route(s) of exposure to bees. One of the more likely routes is dust. Research from Purdue University and other jurisdictions in Europe have found evidence that dust coming from the exhaust of high pressure air‐assisted corn planters contained particles of seed insecticides. Recommendations to avoid incidents where planting treated seed that could cause problems for bees include many best management practices: 1. strengthen communication with local beekeepers; 2. time of planting; 3. manage dandelions and other flowering weeds in and around fields, prior to planting; 4. minimize the amount of insecticide seed treatment used; 5. limit the amount of seed lubricant (e.g. talc) used at planting; 6. exhaust dust towards the center of the field; and 7. modifying planters with deflectors. NOTE: Any suspected bee kill incidents in B.C. should be reported to: Paul VanWestendorp, BC Provincial Apiculturist.

Last spring, beginning in April 2012, incidents of bee mortality were reported by beekeepers across southern Ontario. Timing and location of these incidents appears to have generally coincided with corn planting. Samples of affected bees were taken at many incident locations and are being analyzed for specific pesticide residues. Preliminary residue results show that insecticides used to treat corn seed were detected in approximately 70% of the dead bee samples analyzed. Based on the preliminary information evaluated to date, there is an indication that pesticides used on treated corn seeds may have contributed to at least some of the 2012 spring bee losses that occurred in Ontario, however, there is still additional information being collected for consideration and final conclusions have not been made.