For any who don't get Kim's "Catch the Buzz", let me point out the latest
and most interesting missive, archived at
http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2009.03.26.10.08.archive.html. Bob will
like it, I think.
"These comments, submitted by the National Honey Bee Advisory Board to EPA
concerning the registration of imidacloprid, a systemic pesticide produced
by Bayer Chemical Company, have been edited here because of length. But the
stories have not been changed or altered. The NHBAB consists of beekeepers
from both the AHPA and the ABF, and represents most of the nation's
commercial beekeepers. EPA now must act on these and other comments
regarding this compound. At the same time, this group of beekeepers and
Bayer are meeting to discuss continued research with this compound. Time
will tell if increased regulation, or more precise research improve the
situation.
In particular, these points jumped out:
"Recent data from Penn State on crabapple trees, although unpublished, and
not yet replicated is extremely concerning. Two controls, and two treated
trees were used in the experiment. After three weeks no imidacloprid was
detected. However the next spring pollen samples from pollen sacs and
anthers tested over 900 ppb combined Imidacloprid and 2 principal
degradants: 5- hydroxe and olefin. In nectaries the combined number was
1,450 ppb. Although further research is required for this study to be
properly concluded, the initial data raises questions about how imidacloprid
is stored and translocated in woody plants, like fruit trees.
and
"In an advertisement for Premise 200SC, an imidacloprid product for termite
control, Bayer states, "Premise 200SC interferes with (the) instinctive
social behavior (of termites), contributing to the termites' demise. Low
doses of Premise 200 SC disorientate the termites and cause them to cease
their natural grooming behavior. Grooming is important for termites to
protect them against pathogenic soil fungi. When termites stop grooming,
the naturally occurring fungi in the soil attack and kill termites. Premise
200SC makes fungi 10,000 times more dangerous to termites. Nature assists
Premis in giving unsurpassed control." (Bayer Premise SC Brochure)
There is much more in the article to contemplate...
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