A new study from the University of California, Riverside revealed that a common class of insecticides is harmful to bees even below recommended doses. Neonicotinoids are insecticides that protect plants from harmful insects like aphids; however, they can also seriously harm beneficial insects like bees. This insecticide, which is chemically similar to nicotine, is widely used by commercial growers. Much research has focused their use in food crops like canola, where they are applied at low doses; however, the study showed that when neonicotinoid is applied in potted ornamental plants, they represent more potent sources of toxin for bees.