The decline in total occupied forest may not equate to an overall loss in butterfly numbers, but scientists are still concerned that their populations are suffering.

In determining that the illnesses came about from exposure to glyphosate in Roundup, a California jury delivers the biggest loss so far to the herbicide manufacturer in lawsuits about the product.

Glyphosate perturbs the balance of gut bacteria in honey bees and increases the insects’ susceptibility to lethal infection.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is designed to be toxic to plants, but scientists observe some untoward effects on animals in the lab. 

The report provides evidence that goes against concerns that Monsanto’s popular herbicide, Roundup, is carcinogenic. 

Newly published research on the key ingredient in the Monsanto-made weed killer is holding up lawmakers’ decisions on whether to continue to allow its sale in Europe.