Bob Harrison wrote:

> if  the problem in [Mr. X's] bees had been a new pathogen then 
> radiation would have solved the [CCD] problem and it did not.

And if the problem in [Mr. X's] CCD bees had been Imidacloprid 
then it should be a simple matter to analyze the comb/pollen/honey
for Imidacloprid residues.  Also a simple matter to experimentally
contaminate some comb/pollen/honey with parts per billion amounts
of Imidacloprid to see whether or not it stops robbing.

> Do you agree Paul that if beekeepers find a yard of bees dead and when the
> comb/pollen/honey is tested the level of neonicotinoids are at the level the
> chemical company has said with its own research is lethal to honey bees
> those beekeepers have got a claim?

Perhaps, but I would think the beekeepers would need to acquire residue
testing data that shows the nectar and pollen of Imidacloprid treated
crops in the vicinity of the yard was contaminated with lethal
or sublethal amounts of the chemical.

Paul Cherubini
El Dorado, Calif.

****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
****************************************************