I was directed to an article from Randy Olliver addressing the neonics issue. Here's the link if anyone else would like to peruse it.
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/the-neonicotinoids-an-objective-assessment/
Thanks The15thMember
The following is just a sample of the article by Randy Oliver that you suggested in your above reply. Very interesting and enlightening article. Thanks for posting.
Effects Of Neonics On Bees
Neonics are ideally applied as seed treatments, where the amount per seed can be carefully controlled, so that by the time that a plant produces nectar and pollen, the residues are too diluted to harm pollinators.
Unfortunately, during the introduction of the neonics, there were some serious incidents of inadvertent bee kills when the seed coating rubbed off in pneumatic seed planters, and the dust killed bees. In most countries, this issue has now been resolved.
This leaves the question of neonic residues in nectar and pollen. In general, the residues in the nectar and pollen of properly-treated agricultural crops (typically less than 3 ppb) do not appear to cause significant adverse effects on honey bee colonies. I?ve personally visited beekeepers in corn, soy, and canola growing areas, and they report that since the Bt genetically-engineered crops and the neonic seed treatments, that the pesticide issues that they suffered from in the 1960?s and ?70?s have largely gone away. That said?
The Neonics Are Not Without Problems
Insecticides by definition are designed to kill insects. No insecticide is environmentally harmless, and as we learn more about unintended effects, our regulators must revise the approved allowable applications.
We have now found that the honey bee colony is a special case, and is able to ?buffer? the sublethal effects of the neonics on the colony. So although properly-applied neonics appear to generally cause minimal measureable adverse effects on honey bee colonies, they may have more deleterious effects upon bumblebees and solitary native bees. This is a serious concern, of which the EPA is well aware.