Bees and Banned Pesticide: Die-Off in Portland, Ore.

[appal_jack]

2. I don't know the details of this particular story, but...

Imidacloprid has a residence/activity time of 3-4 years in tree sap. It has been used as a root drench or trunk injection on Hemlocks here in the southern Appalachians to (effectively) combat Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. Once treated, the Hemlock is protected for at least three years. Those same residual activity properties would be likely shorter following a foliar application on linden trees, but an 8 month+ residual activity is not out of the question, especially if the spraying was heavy enough to run-off and be taken up by the roots as well.

Thankfully, the days of needing imidacloprid even to rescue Hemlocks are numbered, thanks to a tiny predatory beetle and the hard work of some diligent entomologists:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article16532009.html

The neonic pesticides have caused more problems than they ever have 'solved' and it's past time for them to be taken off the market entirely.

k&r,

-app