Greetings all
 
Fruit producers (apples & pears) in South Africa have, for the first
time this year, sprayed Penncap-M (microencapsulated methyl
parathion) on their crops. Which has resulted in quite a bit of bee
mortality, and quite a furore. Looking through the literature I have
found that much the same occurred in the USA (and Australia?) in the
early 1980's, but there is not much reported since the mid-1980's.
 
Can anyone help me with any of the following questions?
 
(1) Is Penncap-M still used in the USA, Europe, Australia - and on
what crops?
 
(2) What are the spray conditions (pertaining to bees) for its use?
 
(3) Are there still honeybee losses due to Penncap-M?
 
Many thanks
 
Mike Allsopp
Stellenbosch, South Africa
 
 
 
Mike Allsopp                            tel    (27)(21) 887-4690
Honeybee Research Section               fax    (27)(21) 883-3285
Plant Protection Research Institute     pmail  plant3/vredma
Agricultural Research Council           email  [log in to unmask]
P/Bag X5017
Stellenbosch 7599
South Africa