https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/uog-npt050317.php
I think something like this was done before.
I hoped for a good study on bumblebees like the honeybee study- actually
putting colonies in the field and evaluating them -but this one is another
syrup feeder study which I always find suspect. And, yes, the BBs are
affected by the fed pesticides- queen's eggs in this case.
The good thing about field studies where the researcher does not influence
the outcome is they reflect reality rather than the "lab". Reality always
trumps lab results otherwise we would have cured cancer long ago.
But be assured that his one will get traction while the honeybee study will
not. It is the impala- nice metaphor BTW.
The nice thing about the honeybee study was there were a variety of
locations and tests of pollen for all pesticides. That, to me, is key as
the neonics are only one class of pesticides that the bees encounter.
Again, I am leaning toward BBs having more problems than honeybees in the
field, but so far there is nothing definitive.
Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine
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