Insecticide important for many crops
February 27, 2015
From: Wisconsin State Farmer
By Jan Shepel
WISCONSIN DELLS
Concern about seed treatments like neonicotinoids and their possible damage to pollinators — especially bees — is a subject farmers should be aware of.
Tom Kroll, seed treatment product manager for Nufarm Americas, Inc., spoke to farmers at the recent Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells and mentioned that the concern about seed treatments and their possible impact on bees was largely based on laboratory data.
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Kroll said studies in the field in Europe have found that CCD “has nothing to do with the insecticide” and is more about the varroa mite, a parasite of honey bees.
2 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Pete | February 27, 2015 at 6:01 pm
The science is clear, Neonicotinoids are destroying bee colonies at field level exposer; trying to blame varroa mites that beekeepers have been controlling for years is absurd!
2.
Editor | March 2, 2015 at 6:06 pm
The science clear that it is varroa destructor, not neonicotinoids, which are responsible for bee health decline.
The following are a few quotes from US, UK and Australian national regulatory and science authorities on the subject,
“The varroa mite’s full name is Varroa destructor, and it is perhaps the most aptly named parasite ever to enter this country. Varroa destructor is a modern honey bee plague. It has been responsible for the deaths of massive numbers of colonies both within the United States and worldwide.” – USDA/Agricultural Research Service (April 29. 2014)
“…the introduction of the neonicotinoids has led to an overall reduction in the risks to the agricultural environment from the application of insecticides.” – Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
“The Varroa mite is considered the most serious global threat to beekeeping and is without question the most serious threat to the viability of the Australian honey bee industry.” — Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, March 2014
“The blood-sucking Varroa is the biggest killer of honey bees world-wide, having developed resistance to beekeepers’ medication. It is particularly destructive in winter as depleted colonies do not have enough bees huddling together to keep warm.” – UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
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