Bob Harrison wrote:

> It is my opinion that the widespread use of the 
> neonicotinoids on yards, fruit trees , golf courses 
> and in agriculture is weakening the immune
> systems of our bees. 

What about other pollinators? Here's some evidence about 
butterfly pollinator abundance near upper Midwestern corn
fields this summer: The corn in Iowa was tasseling and 
shedding pollen in mid -July this year. Then on July 26, 
the tenth annual Iowa City Butterfly Count was conducted 
in the city and around the corn, soybean and alfalfa hay 
fields surrounding the city. The count reportedly "smashed 
our old record with 2,711 butterflies". See post below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject:  [IA-BTRFLY] Iowa City Butterfly Count
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:04:09 -0500
From: "Chris Edwards" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:  [log in to unmask]
           
Yesterday was our tenth annual Iowa City Butterfly Count.  
It was a pretty amazing day.  Species diversity was a 
little below average with 30, but in terms of individuals
we smashed our old record with 2,711 butterflies. 
'Summer' Spring Azures were numerous everywhere 
we went, and I think I was counting them in my sleep
 last night.  Late in the afternoon we came across a 
huge alfalfa field that was covered with sulphurs and 
whites - I estimated 1200 butterflies there but I think 
that was pretty conservative.  We also had a good 
count (83) of Monarchs throughout the day.

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