Minnesota researchers study effects of insecticide on birds
(World News USA)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota researchers are examining how wild birds are affected by eating crop seeds treated with insecticide. Julia Ponder at the University of Minnesota`s Raptor Center has been testing various doses of neonicotinoid insecticide on chickens. She`s found that the animals will fall asleep or have muscle spasms, Minnesota Public Radio reported . `What we`re doing is very preliminary but it`s going to have significant ramifications,` Ponder said. Researchers are concerned that wild birds that ingest the insecticide will become more susceptible to predators or disease. Neonicotinoid insecticide was introduced on the market 20 years ago as a safer alternative to...