> But widespread experience with Nosema apis in the 1990s and 2000s directly
contradicted the study's findings, as least the Nosema apis findings. A
single early-spring treatment with Fumagillin was a very effective control.

The use of fumagillin was NOT universally adopted for the obvious reason that nosema apis tended to clear up with good weather. Giving a "single early-spring treatment" and having the hives clear nosema is not an indication that it did much of anything.

But what I don't get is why anyone would be promoting the use of this highly toxic antibiotic for use in bees to control what may in fact be a parasite of marginal importance? (This is not tetracycline here!) 

What you gain in production (a few pounds of honey) may be more than offset if the general public develops the sense that honey is crap.  I think it's strange that so many people are defending its use in food production.

Pete

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html