title: Initial recommendations for higher-tier risk assessment protocols for bumble bees, Bombus spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
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 attention and scrutiny. In response, regulatory agencies have introduced more stringent pollinator testing requirements for registration and reregistration of pesticides, to ensure that the risks to pollinators are minimized. In this context, guidelines for testing bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in regulatory studies are not yet available, and a pressing need exists to develop suitable protocols for routine higher-tier studies with these non-Apis sp., social bees. To meet this need, Bayer CropScience LP, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC US, and Valent USA. 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, USA. The participants represented academic, consulting, and industry scientists from Europe, Canada, the United States, and Brazil. The workshop identified a clear protection goal and generated proposals for basic experimental designs, relevant measurements, and endpoints for both semifield (tunnel) and field tests. These initial recommendations are intended to form the basis of discussions to help advance the development of appropriate protocol guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience LP, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience AG, Monheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Almanza
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: G Christopher
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience LP, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SAS, Parc d'affaires de Crécy, Saint Didier au Mont d'Or, France.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hinarejos
authors.affiliation: JSC International Limited, The Exchange, Station Parade, Harrogate, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience, Recanto dos Passaros, Paulinia, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience LP, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olmstead
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overmyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nigel E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Raine
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Cory
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stanley-Stahr
authors.affiliation: Syngenta LTD, Jealott's Hill International Research Station, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Steen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D044822:Biodiversity; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D058735:Environmental Policy; D054817:Pollination; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Agrochemicals; Bumble bee; Ecotoxicology; Endpoints; Insecticides; Pesticides