It is important to remember that the impact of systemic insecticides (non-neonicotinoids) on bees and other pollinators is not a new phenomenon. So, this represents another instance of misinformation or lack of substantial reliable information. However, this information was accepted as demonstrating that ornamental plants treated with neonicotinoid systemic insecticides are toxic to bees. No general inferences can be justifiably made on the impact of neonicotinoid systemic insecticides on bees. Furthermore, only seven out of 13 (54 percent) of the plants sampled (tomato, squash, salvia, gaillardia, pumpkin, zinnia and aster) tested positive for one or more neonicotinoid insecticides. Overall, this study demonstrated nothing, especially since the study failed to quantify the concentration of active ingredient in the pollen and nectar (they simply combined leaves, stems and flowers). The publication was based on an extremely poorly constructed preliminary study regarding the sampling of nursery plants treated with neonicotinoid systemic insecticides from three locations (California, Washington, D.C. The second instance was related to a 2013 publication, Gardeners Beware: Bee-Toxic Pesticides Found In “Bee-Friendly” Plants Sold At Garden Centers Nationwide, by the Friends of the Earth. In fact, the landscaper was fined a modest $555 for killing 55,000 bumble bees and not reading the insecticide label. It is difficult to understand why the Oregon Department of Agriculture did not stress the point regarding the off-label use more. What should have been a great outreach opportunity to educate people on the importance of reading the label was twisted into a means to promote the banning of neonicotinoid systemic insecticides. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.” However, the label states specifically, “This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops or weeds. The use of the insecticide was mainly as a contact and ended-up killing approximately 55,000 bumble bees in a Target parking lot in Wilsonville, Ore. One is the Oregon incident that occurred in June 2013 in which a landscaper sprayed 55 blooming European linden trees with dinotefuran (Safari) for control of aphids. Ultimately, this entire issue regarding the concern of how neonicotinoid systemic insecticides may directly and indirectly affect bees is related to two factors. Why You Can Likely Afford a Solar System for Your Greenhouse (An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor to produce a biological response.) The mode of action of a neonicotinoid is as an agonist at an insect’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. These insecticides have a higher selectivity for insects compared to mammals than other insecticides in the chemical classes organophosphate and carbamate. The concern is affiliated with exposure from foliar applications and exposure to pollen and nectar that may be contaminated via applications to the soil or growing medium. ![]() These active ingredients are present in many products available to both professionals and homeowners. The neonicotinoid systemic insecticides include imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, clothianidin and acetamiprid. Recently, there have been concerns associated with the potential direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoid systemic insecticides on bees. ![]() Research on neonicotinoids and bees is a potential project on the horizon. Editor’s Note: The author is currently evaluating neonicotinoid systemic insecticides’ efficacy against phloem-feeding insects and says he hopes to have study results available next year.
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