This study from Spain definitively delinked bee losses from imidacloprid and pesticides in general In the last decade, an increase in honey bee colony losses have been reported in several European and American countries (Gross 2007, 2008), including Spain, where recent data from many apiarists, indicate a loss close to 80% of beehives Spain is the European country with the highest number of honey bee colonies (2.5 millions in 2009) Our results demonstrate that the situation in Spain is similar to that described in countries in other studies but differs in the lack of imidacloprid residues. Indeed, it seems that the generalized honey bee colony loss in recent years is more likely to be related to other causes such as varroosis due to V. destructor In our samples, the prevalence of fipronil was very low, and imidacloprid (or metabolites) was not detected, suggesting that those products or other agrotoxics commonly used in Spain are not directly related with the generalized reemergent problem of honey bee colony loss detected since autumn 2004. Overview of Pesticide Residues in Stored Pollen and Their Potential Effect on Bee Colony (Apis mellifera) Losses in Spain the Authors J. Bernal, E. Garrido-Bailón, M. J. Del Nozal, A. V. González-Porto, R. Martín-Hernández, J. C. Diego, J. J. Jiménez, J. L. Bernal, and M. Higes their affiliations IU CINQUIMA, Analytical Chemistry Group, University of Valladolid, E-47071 Valladolid, Spain. Centro Apicola Regional. Bee Pathology Laboratory. Consejeria de Agricultura, Marchamalo. E-19180 Guadalajara, Spain. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm