> I've spoken with all the major players, and there is currently no system of sentinel apiaries.  

What about the stationary hive project?

> A stationary hive project was initiated in the spring of 2009 (Spivak 2010a,b). This research project will run through 2013 and consists of two replicate two-year trials (2009-2011 and 2011–2013).  The objective of the study was to conduct a longitudinal study of colonies through a two-year period. In this article we review observations that were recorded in the First Trial of this study (2009-2011), specifically the effects that relate to abiotic factors that characterized each apiary site. 

> The experimental design of the project involves stationary apiaries of 30 colonies in each of 7 states (see Spivak 2010a,b for more detail).  In the spring of 2009 seven stationary apiaries consisting of ca. 30 colonies per site were initiated from 3- lb packages obtained from various commercial honey bee producers across the southern and western U.S.  New hive hardware was used in all apiaries. 

Pesticide exposure. 

> Pollen trapping was conducted 2009-2011. The chemical analyses were conducted by Dr. Brian Eitzer at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Five colonies per apiary were fitted with pollen traps and trapped twice monthly for a 3-day period. Overall, the results show variation in both time and apiary location.  This is not unexpected as different pesticides are used at different times of the year at a single location, and, different pesticides are used for different crops grown at different locations. 

http://www.extension.org/

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