EU ban on neonicotinoids triggers call for a similar ban in Australia to protect bees

European Union countries have voted to ban the outdoor use of insecticides known as neonicotinoids because of the harm they can do to bees, but there is no sign of a similar ban in Australia.

Scientists in Europe fear bumble bees are being killed
 by pesticides known as neonicotinoids and a vote
last week will see them banned in six months' time.

The EU ban covers the use of three active substances: imidacloprid developed by Bayer CropScience, clothianidin developed by Takeda Chemical Industries and Bayer CropScience, as well as Syngenta's thiamethoxam.

Read the ABC Rural News story - “EU ban on neonicotinoids triggers call for a similar ban in Australia to protect bees.”

Summer’s sting in the tail: Sizzling temperatures arrive just in time for final weekend

Sydney's long, hot summer shows no sign of wavering in its final days, bringing with it some unwelcome guests.

Blue bottles cover the shore at North Bondi Beach 

as the last weekend of summer approaches. 

Beachgoers who head to the coast to make the most of the last weekend of summer can expect sunny skies and warm temperatures, as mild weather heats up in coming days.

However, they have also been warned to look out for bluebottles, with lifeguards at North Bondi dodging big waves, as well as armadas of the creatures strewn across the sand this week.

Weatherzone meteorologist Kim Westcott said north-easterly winds sweeping through the city would keep a lid on hotter temperatures in the city, but the west was set to swelter.

"For Sydneysiders, the week has been quite cool. It's been a nice reprieve and not too humid.

Read the story by Megan Gorrey in The Age - “Summer’s sting in the tail: Sizzling temperatures arrive just in time for final weekend.”