Peter L Borst wrote:

> What is odd is that only certain species of bumble
> bee seem to be in decline while others are thriving

Yes and and some bumble bee species continue to be
abundant in Poncho (clothianidin) country (corn & soybean 
monocultures of the upper midwest USA). In fact it is rather 
easy to capture photos of two or more of them nectaring 
on wildflowers growing along the margins of the crops:

On Aug. 18, 2009, for example, I took these photos in
southwestern Minnesota near the town of Morris, MN:

Close-up view:
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae78/18R-C/montea.jpg
Landscape view:
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae78/18R-C/monteb.jpg

Close-up view:
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae78/18R-C/2beesb.jpg
Landscape view:
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae78/18R-C/2beesa.jpg

Paul Cherubini

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