> I asked: 'what about solitary bees?'  Seems they are excluded for the
> time.  But what else are neonicotinoids killing?  What about all the other
> insects that pollinate and together with their larvae provide food for
> birds?
>

The study you posted on solitary bees says that the bee is not killed but
the neonics do kill the larva. They also talk about field doses, but, since
it costs to read the paper, I have no idea what those are. We have been
down that path many times.

Solitary bees are a huge class of bees and only one was tested. Add that
they are not  around all the time, like honeybees are, but many have
discrete periods that they live.So it all depends on when they are around
and what crop is being treated.

It is a valid concern, but needs a bit more study than a blanket
indictment. Lots of pesticides kill solitary bees outright along with
honeybees.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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