Molecules of the insecticide Imidacloprid approaching the viewer. Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world (as of 2012). It is a neonicotinoid, a synthetic neurotoxic chemical based on the natural insecticide nicotine. It is widely used on crops, trees, in the home and garden, and on pets to kill parasites. Studies have linked the ubiquitous use of imidacloprid with colony collapse disorder (CCD) in honeybees. CCD is a recent phenomenon in which honeybee colonies die off. As bees are responsible for pollinating a vast number of food plants for humans (and other animals), CCD has become a serious concern. Several European countries banned use of imidacloprid in 2012 over such concerns. In this model atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (grey), hydrogen (white), nitrogen (purple), oxygen (blue) and chlorine (green). Made from K003/4882, which has a transparent alpha background, supplied with Animation codec.