Allen writes:
This is one study. It has not been replicated. What kind of
confidence can we attribute to it, even if it were designed and
executed perfectly?

The suggestion was that Movento would cause disruption of brood rearing. If it had, one would expect to see effects pretty quickly, within weeks. This class of products has undergone widespread testing for many years, so it isn't just "one study". There is no such thing as a non-toxic pesticide, we know. The issue is acceptable risk. Nobody is forcing beekeepers to put bees on oranges. 

Excerpted from 
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF A REGISTERED CHEMICAL PRODUCT
Product name:	MOVENTO 240 SC INSECTICIDE
Applicant:	BAYER CROPSCIENCE PTY LTD

ADVICE
Australian Government Department Of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Six additional ecotoxiclogy studies were provided in support of the application, investigating toxic effects of the active constituent, proposed formulation and 150 OD formulation on honeybees and terrestrial plants.The studies indicate that although adult honeybees are unlikely to be harmed, brood disruption has been observed in field feeding studies. There are indications of complete recovery following dissipation of spirotetramat. Safety to terrestrial plants is indicated based on spray drift modelling.

Although a potential chronic risk to avian species was identified, mitigating circumstances indicate this risk is acceptable. Spray drift modelling established that aquatic and terrestrial plant buffers are not required for applications conducted in accordance with the proposed label. In addition, the risk to aquatic species from runoff is acceptable. Likewise, mammals and soil microorganisms are unlikely to be at risk. Spirotetramat has a range of effects on terrestrial invertebrates. Soil invertebrates such as earthworms and gamasid mites are unlikely to be harmed. Likewise, the risk to lacewings and ladybird beetles is acceptable at the maximum application rate. Risk to adult bees from field residues is acceptable at the proposed rate, but the risk to bee hives under field conditions cannot be fully established. Adverse effects on predatory mites were observed in a range of laboratory and semi-field tests. The sensitivity in the field was lower.

In support of this application, the applicant has provided residue data from 25 Australian trials conducted on zucchini, cucumber, rockmelon, leafy lettuce and head lettuce, and 50 trials conducted in the US, UK and Europe on leafy lettuce, head lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and mustard greens. The overseas data has provided support for the recommended Australian MRLs. The Applicant has proposed the establishment of MRLs, together with corresponding WHPs for the following plant commodities: Brassica leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables (cucurbits, except melon), leafy vegetables (except lettuce, head), lettuce (head) and melons. 

The results of the trials of Movento 240SC and a number of fungicides and insecticides on lettuce, cucurbits and brassica vegetables showed that there was little or no crop safety effects. The reviewer noted a reduction in efficacy of Movento 240SC when used in a tank mix with Dipel DF, Bugmaster and Amistar. The tank mix with Amistar also resulted in some crop safety effect. These results support the statement on the label regarding tank mixes and the requirement to contact the applicant.

             ***********************************************
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

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L