Chris, I'm not following your logic.  The neonic seed treatments target
> root and stem feeders and borers, and above ground sucking insects.  And
> only in/on the cultivated crop, and generally only for the first 30 days of
> growth.
>
> On the other hand, foliar sprays of most any insecticide are relatively
> indiscriminate, and kill virtually all insect species, perhaps at the very
> time that birds are feeding their young.


Randy beat me to it. But I would add one more thing, that the neonics are
specifically designed to target insects and have much less effect than what
they replace, the organophosphates and carbamates. I had the same
difficulty following the logic.

But there is one interesting correlation, that of the introduction of the
neonics and the increase in bee population. Since the meme of neonics =
vanishing bees  is used to condemn neonics, then does the truth, neonics=
an increasing bee population, validate their use? (Meant in irony but
interesting none the less.)

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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