> Such acute exposure cannot probably occur in the realistic conditions
 > since the concentrations of imidacloprid and its metabolites, to 
which honey bees are exposed
 > always have been measured lower than 10 g kg1. (s/b micrograms/kg, 
which is equal to ppb)

I keep wondering how small the field samples are, how they are collected 
and mixed and averaged,
and how closely they represent the samples that individual bees experience.

 > Although data in field tests are often inadequate to demonstrate 
causation unambiguously, the
 > loss of the colonies could not  be verified for imidacloprid under 
field conditions, where no effects
 > on hive development have  been detected.

I tend to question the collection and use of data in such field studies 
and wonder if the methods may
discard or discount the very effects that beekeepers claim.  A big one 
is increased variability in
managed hives.

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