Initial recommendations for higher-tier risk assessment protocols for bumble bees, Bombus spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (original) (raw)

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 2015

Abstract

Global declines of bumble bees and other pollinator populations are of concern because of their critical role for crop production and maintenance of wild plant biodiversity. Although the consensus among scientists is that the interaction of many factors, including habitat loss, forage scarcity, diseases, parasites, and pesticides potentially plays a role in causing these declines, pesticides have received considerable public attention and scrutiny. In response, regulatory agencies have introduced more stringent pollinator testing requirements for registration and re-registration of pesticides, to ensure the risks to pollinators are minimized. In this context, guidelines for testing bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in regulatory studies are not yet available and there is a pressing need to develop suitable protocols for routine higher tier studies with these non-Apis, social bees. To meet this need, Bayer CropScience LP, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC US, and Valent U.S.A. Corporation organized a workshop bringing together a group of global experts on bumble bee behavior, ecology and ecotoxicology to discuss and develop draft protocols for both semi-field (Tier II) and field (Tier III) studies. The workshop was held May 8-9, 2014 at the Bayer Bee Care Center, North Carolina. The participants represented academic, consulting, and industry scientists from Europe, Canada, USA, and Brazil. The workshop identified a clear protection goal and generated proposals for basic experimental designs, relevant measurements and endpoints for both semi-field (tunnel) and field tests. These initial recommendations are intended to form the basis of discussions to help advance the development of appropriate protocol guidelines. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nigel Raine hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Nigel know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.