[Pollinator] Imidacloprid - Injection into Soil

[Barry Thompson]

All,
   Yesterday, I was contacted by a neighbor who has noticed "large number" of dead "small bumblebees" around flowers planted within the drip
line of a large tree recently treated (by nationally recognized tree company) for "two-line borer". Treatment consisted of multiple injections of imidacloprid under pressure into ground around tree (within the drip line). The neighbor is concerned that the neonicotinoid is traveling to flowering parts of plants in the area and adversely impacting bumblebees and other pollinators. 
Seems a distinct possibility to me, but I've no details yet re date of treatment or confirmation of compound(s) used. 
I've asked neighbor to gather up several of the deceased bees; I'll see if we can get info re possible toxic materials therein. 
   Anyone have similar adverse events surrounding in-ground use of neonicotinoids for tree protection? Of course, administration of pesticides with intended incorporation into plant parts for protection against insect pests is well recognized and potential risk for pollinators known. 
   This neighborhood instance would appear to be the planting of ornamentals in the zone of application of systemic pesticide, with subsequent inadvertent exposure of pollinators. 
Avoidance would require the removal of flowering plants, I believe.
   Thoughts? Comments? 
Thank you.
Barry Thompson


Barry H Thompson, MD, FACMG Medical Director
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Bethesda, Maryland                      

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