Our town is using Imidocloprid

[rayb]

Our town in Cincinnati, OH is using a soil drench of Imidocloprid ( neonicatanoid) for the treatment of Emerald Ash Borers (EAB) on most of our ash trees (500 or more). I spoke to the Urban Forestry Board, who is against treatment, and some of the town officials about my concerns for the bee population and the large amount of total chemical use this treatment would entail. They intend to continue treatment for the next 5-10 years.

I am aware of the information out there about different countries stopping the use of imidocloprid on certain crops and the implication that this chemical is part of the bee decline. One of the forestry members stated that because the ash tree is wind pollinated the systemic uptake of the treatment would not affect the bees.

Is this a true statement? Will a soil drench treatment allow the chemical to reach the pollen? Will bees collect ash tree pollen? What further information can I use when speaking to the city council at their next meeting? Just saying "Please Stop" won't work.

Thanks, Ray

[homer]

From what I understand about the borers and the drench treatment.... the trees absorb it through their roots and gets into the "meat" of the tree where the borers ingest it and die.  I can't see that having any effect on honey bees.

A lot of chemicals that you can spray directly on fruit trees will lose their potency in but a few hours.  Thus not effecting the bees either, so I don't think there's much to worry about.

[Michael Bach]

Neonicotineoids in general are all root adsorbed chemistryies.  The mode of action are only on the larvae of insects.  Adults are not affected.  Without university data to supports this, I highly doubt the tree pollen would have any amount of insecticide.

[slaphead]

Bees collect pollen from many trees. Neonicitinide insecticides are systemic, soaked up by the roots and distributed to all of the live tissues of the plant, including the pollen.  When bees collect this pollen it goes straight into the hive and is used to feed the brood, which then dies.  The link between neonicitinide contaminated pollen and toxicity to honey bee brood is quite clear.  I believe the disaster in Germany, which led to these insecticides being banned, is probably the clearest demonstration of this relationship.

SH

[rayb]

Thanks for the responses. With all of the stories about the effect of this chemical on bees, and the fact that our town will cut these (not very pretty) trees down in the next 5-10 years, I still hope to influence (or at least inform) the town council. The thought of pouring more chemicals around town just doesn't seem like a good thing.

Thanks, Ray

[deknow]

ray,
i'm swamped at the moment, but do some searching on the asian longhorn beetle in worcester, ma for some more information.  I'll try to write something specific soon.

deknow

[rayb]

Thanks, I will

ray