CCD: Risk prfile of neonicotinod Pesticides like Clothianidin and Imidacloprid

[Klaus Maresch]

Dear fellow beekeepers,

on Frebruary 16, 2011, the dutch toxicologist Dr. Henk Tennekes gave a lecture at the Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg (Germany). This lecture is about "Toxicity as function of exposure time - Risk profile of neonicotinoid insecticides".

It was originally given in german, but yesterday I visited him to record an english version of his lecture for the international beekeeping community.

You can see and listen to this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4RIDWuCN-A

Greetings from Germany,

Klaus

[Stromnessbees]

That is very interesting, unfortunatey the quaility of the video is poor.
For those who don't have the patience to watch the whole video I have copied the page with the conclusions (from 25:41):

Conclusions:

· The mode of action of neonicotinoid insecticides derives from almost complete and virtually irreversible blockage of postsynaptic nicotinic AcetylCholine-Receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system of insects.

· The toxicity of neonicotinoids to arthropods is reinforced by exposure time. Their dose : response characteristics are strikingly similar to those of carcinogens. Thus, there may not be a safe level of exposure.

· Imidacloprid is persistent and mobile in soil and prone to leaching.

· The contamination of surface water with imidacloprid is massive in some parts of Holland.

· Of the 13 components of agricultural intensification, only the use of insecticides and fungicides had consistent negative effects on biodiversity (wild plant, carabid and bird species).

· Surface water contamination with Imidacloprid correlates with reduced Diptera (Flies and Midges) abundance.

· Strong decline of butterflies since the introduction of neonicotinoid insecticides.

· Many invertebrate-dependent bird species (in very different habitats) are declining, some are now extinct.

If you want to just watch the essence of the talk rather than an extended chemistry lession, I recommend listening from 12:20, when he gets to the biological implications for insects and birds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4RIDWuCN-A

So, as there 'may not be a safe level of exposure' to neonicotinoids, what are we going to do?

[StevenG]

Great. Just great. s

[lighto]

Thank You for posting.

[Klaus Maresch]

A pdf of this lecture is available here:

http://bit.ly/gUTFIG

Greetings, Klaus

[rwlaw]

As a 3yr bk I really wasn't interested in the neonics. But when a 20yr plus master bk I know just lost two yards (16 hives), something is going on.
It's my understanding these hives were July starts w/ fresh queens, no pesticides, etc. Sure is bizarre that most all the hives died w/o explaination that he can find eh?
Thanx for posting