butterfly house. butterflies killed by neonicotinoids. Are mantids are at risk?

[Casperkpr]

Please read and share this story. We opened a butterfly house and bug zoo. Our butterflies were killed by neonicotinoids. We were assured the plants we purchased contained NO neonicotinoids. Greenhouse admitted to using on food crops and flowering plants for sale too. Toxicology reports coming soon http://mynorth.com/2015/05/g-t-butterfly-house-bug-zoo-opens-for-the-season/

 

[Casperkpr]

They finally admitted they used them after we had multiple butterfly deaths. The greenhouse offered no help or refund. The worst part is they sold millions of plants to other suppliers all over the country. These suppliers are selling to unsuspecting customers. Who are planting butterfly/flower gardens or vegetable gardens. This is killing too many of our little friends.

 

[Sticky]

What greenhouse business was it?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I don't think directly, but indirectly affected in the food chain. Plant eating insects eat the plants, mantis eats those insects eating those plants.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Personally, I don't tend to trust what anyone says when purchasing live plants and will thouroughly rinse them off, re-soil, and detox them before using them with any of my critters. There have been some members on this board that have purchased live plants for their mantis setups that were supposedly chemical free that resulted in deaths. Sometimes the retailers are lying, other times they are telling the truth but getting the plants second hand and don't realize the places they are getting them from are spraying. This is where the internet can come in handy to vet companies beforehand if you know you are going to make a big purchase.

 

[Casperkpr]

I'd rather not say which greenhouse it was until the investigation is completed.