>
> >I find it interesting that a California beekeeper which has never had bees
> around neonicotinoid treated corn


Actually, have run my bees next to corn and alfalfa for 30 years.  However,
the growers that I've asked don't have a clue as to whether the seed has
been treated, so can't say.  But since I hear that it is difficult to find
untreated corn these days, could well be.

More to the point, I have visited beekeepers in the Midwest and other areas
where most of the ground is covered in either corn or soy.  They complain
more about the lack of weeds due to wall-to-wall farming and herbicide use,
than about neonics.  Those who do complain about pesticides generally
complain about carbaryl, Lorsban, and other nonsystemic pesticides.

> still waiting for Jerry B., F.
> Eischen, Jeff Pettis or any other CCD or USDA-ARS researcher to come to the
> Midwest and look at the connection between corn & bee death.
>

This surprises me greatly, Bob.  Last I heard (about a year ago) was that
Penn State was collecting corn pollen. I would strongly support data
collection in your area.  Please note though that Dr Marla Spivak is
collaborating on research on the neonics in Minnesota (plenty of corn).

>Many of my friends say to me:
> "Bob you are wasting your breath on the BEE-L list as those guys are out of
> touch with the real world of commercial beekeeping. "
>

Bob, I'm sure that we on the List consider you to be a friend!  You are
hardly wasting your breath; rather, you give us good food for discussion!

I, too would appreciate if you could invite Henri to share his views, as I
have only limited contacts in France, and those suggest that the problems
continue unabated.

Randy Oliver

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