Thank you making a balanced, fact-based, scientific statement.
I happen to be a hobby beekeeper. I would not consider myself an expert by any stretch, however, having 10 years of experience with honeybees, I know a little bit more than the average person.
In that time frame, I've lost many colonies. Last year in fact, I lost 75% of my colonies. Many of my colonies were lost because of the varroa mite. Others due to my mismanagement. But, some I just don't know. They were healthy going into winter then, dead. This may have something to do with pesticides. Not sure.
What bothers me the most is that a lot of people on both sides are pursuing and promoting their politics and the honeybees are just in the middle. I see this as an argument between people with a much deeper agenda than the honeybees. @doitvoluntarily, I appreciate the fact that your post is based on science rather than an agenda.
RE: Common Pesticides Pose A Great Threat To Bee Populations Says New Study