Mackay Eyster
Papers
1
Total Citations
290
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1
About
Mackay Eyster is a behavioral ecologist whose research illuminates the hidden impacts of environmental stressors on social insect societies. Her most influential work, published in *Science* in 2018 and cited over 290 times, reveals how neonicotinoid pesticides disrupt bumblebee nest behavior, social networks, and thermoregulation. Using an innovative automated robotic platform for continuous monitoring, Eyster demonstrated that even low-level exposure to imidacloprid impairs worker interactions and colony cohesion—mechanisms that explain how these compounds undermine colony growth. This landmark study provided some of the first direct evidence linking pesticide exposure to the breakdown of social structure in bees, offering critical insights for conservation biology and pollinator management. Eyster’s work bridges behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology, showing how subtle behavioral disruptions can cascade into colony-level failures. Her research has been widely cited by scientists studying pollinator decline, pesticide regulation, and social network theory, establishing her as a leading voice on the behavioral mechanisms of environmental stress in insect societies.
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Top Papers
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