crops. (6) Native pollinators, such as bumblebees, have also suffered alarming population declines. There are currently more than 40 pollinator species federally listed as threatened or endangered, and most recently, the iconic monarch butterfly has declined by 90 percent. (7) Scientists have linked the use of a certain class of systemic insecticides, known as neo­nic­o­ti­noids, to the rapid decline of pollinators and to the deterioration of pollinator health. (8) Neonicotinoids cause sublethal effects, including impaired foraging and feeding behavior, disorientation, weakened immunity, delayed larval development, and increased susceptibility to viruses, diseases, and parasites. Numerous reports also document acute, lethal effects from the application of neo­nic­o­ti­noids. (9) Conclusions from a recent global review of the impacts of systemic pesticides, primarily neo­nic­o­ti­noids, warn that they are causing significant damage to a wide range of beneficial invertebrate species, are a key factor in the decline of bees, and pose a global threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Another recent global review documented high levels of freshwater contamination. (10) Science has demonstrated that a single corn kernel coated with a neonicotinoid is toxic enough to kill a songbird. Peer-reviewed research from the Netherlands has shown that the most severe bird population declines occurred in those areas where neonicotinoid pollution was highest. Starlings, tree sparrows, and swallows were among the most affected. (11) In January 2013, the European Food Safety Authority determined that the most widely used neonicotinoids pose unacceptable hazards to bees, prompting the European Union to suspend their use on agricultural crops. (12) In June 2013, over 50,000 bumblebees were killed as a direct result of exposure to a neo­nic­o­ti­noid applied to linden trees for cosmetic purposes. (13) In February 2014, Eugene, Oregon, voted to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on city property. Similar bans and restrictions