Honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) are recognized as major managed pollinators; reductions in their contribution to pollination services can prove to be highly detrimental since we depend on them to pollinate many food crops. With continuing concerns regarding high honey bee colony losses, the questions arise as to what factors are associated with these losses. As pesticides are one of the factors associated with colony losses, toxicity testing is a traditional means of evaluating potential effects. Having protocols with which to generate data serves as a means to inform pesticide regulatory decisions to mitigate potential lethal/sub-lethal effects. Of the different toxicity testing methods under development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been compiling guidance documents for assessing the effects on individual bees from exposure to pesticides. In the development of its guidelines, EPA is utilizing the groundwork established by international researchers and government organizations. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidance Document 239 was used to inform the draft EPA guideline on chronic toxicity testing with larvae. This effort was further informed by international ring testing efforts on proposed modifications to chronic toxicity testing methods. Additionally, OECD Test Guideline 213 is being used to inform the development of an EPA test guideline on acute oral toxicity testing. These efforts are helping to ensure uniform testing which is considered “fit for purpose” and inform EPA’s understanding of the science.

21-Day chronic larval toxicity test guidance and acute oral toxicity test guidelines for honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>)

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

21-Day chronic larval toxicity test guidance and acute oral toxicity test guidelines for honeybees (Apis mellifera)