> ... Following binding to the nicotinic receptor, Yep, first it has to bind, and the overwhelming bulk of neonic molecules are metabolized by the bees before they have a chance to do so. So large a percentage is that Randy will still assert that the percentage is 100%, while Christine has convinced at least me, if not many of us, that the number is something ever-so slightly less than 100%. > ...Sustained activation of the receptor results > from the inability of acetylcholinesterases to > break down the pesticide. This binding > process is irreversible. Yes, this is how neonics work on insects without robust mechanisms to metabolize these pesticides. This is also what happens when a bee gets too large a dose of the neonics, as they overload the bees' ability to metabolize them, rather like a heavy rain overflowing a storm drain. Beekeeping has become a lot more technical than it used to be, but only those willing to keep up and tool up will continue to keep their bees alive and filling supers with honey. Funny, I actually decided that I wanted to keep bees, not just because it was nearly as humble an undertaking as "shepherd", yet without the smelly sheep, but also because it would be a good break from the hyper-technical rigors of my lab and the "Politics of Science" at AT&T Bell Labs as a whole. Do something "simple". Yeah, right. *********************************************** 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