my response...
why would anyone even attempt to rear queens in a habitat dripping with agricultural chemicals?  I guess if you had no choice you might but almost everyone can look about and find a better spot to rear queens. furthermore how could anyone anywhere make the statement that drones in any habitat were not exposed to neonics? < and my guess here is that as a product it is pervasive beyond the corn fields and any may well be more common anywhere you see lot of crops started in a green houses.  even suggesting that this potential problem doesn't exist anywhere there is a massive agricultural monoculture would appear to me to be somewhat naive.   



While I am not Randy<  I will answer that one,  Its another red herring and complete hogwash.  These comments about dripping with chemicals and huge monocultures speak volumes of the naivety of people and the desire to push an agenda.  

Here in the Midwest chemicals are used,  no doubt.  But general exposure to pollinators is low,  and getting better and better every year. The neonics that are the subject of this thread have been a huge benefit,  not detriment.   Despite the goal of many researchers and environmental groups to paint these as the work of the antichrist, they have reduced spraying of synthetic pyrethroids and other chemicals to lows not seen in 50 years.
Queens bred here in the Midwest have been just as good as those bred anywhere else.  The main reason there are no commercial queen operations is the shorter season,  nothing more.  

There are several serious queen breeders located in the Midwest  amongst those dripping chemicals. Some of which are considered very successful,   from MB to the Purdue program, The Illinois queen initiave to Marla spivak.   Many fantastic queen programs making strides.


Don’t let cultural bias and ignorance of an area allow you to make snarky comments.

Charles

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