The company says an application error by the seed company which failed to use the glue-like substance that sticks the pesticide to the seed, led to the chemical getting into the air.

Bayer spokesman Dr Julian Little told the BBC's Farming Today that misapplication is highly unusual. "It is an extremely rare event and has not been seen anywhere else in Europe," he said.

Clothianidin, like the other neonicotinoid pesticides that have been temporarily suspended in Germany, is a systemic chemical that works its way through a plant and attacks the nervous system of any insect it comes into contact with.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency it is "highly toxic" to honeybees.

they give me the creeps as I am alergic to the things!

Nature's work horses and still so important to all our plants.

Bee numbers are on the decline in parts of the world due to a parasite, if there were no bees, in just 5 years, we would all be starving.

i was attacked [ touched a hive with mower ] 78 stings! i think the killer dose app. 67 stings per kilo body weight.