The US Environmental Protection Agency, Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency and California Department of Pesticide Regulations developed a probabilistic model in 2012 to estimate nectar requirements of nectar foraging honey bees. The model is based on sugar requirements and nectar content, trip frequency, duration, and the fraction of trips spent flying. The median estimate from model simulations of 292 mg nectar/bee/day is endorsed in the Agencies’ 2014 ‘<i>Guidance for Assessing Risks to Bees</i>.’ The model inputs were based on limited data, and the structure allowed for some implausible results. To address these issues, recently, a literature review was conducted to collate quantitative information relating to nectar forager ingestion of nectar. These data were used in a simpler but comparable model, based on time spent outside the hive and recent radio-frequency tagging identification data from workers. This model, and its assumptions are presented. We compare results with a reproduction of the Agencies’ model, with updated inputs based on data gathered. Sensitivity and correlation analyses are presented which call attention to the most important elements of the models. Suggestions are provided to enhance model inputs and improve exposure assessment for honey bees.

Modeling of nectar requirements for nectar foraging honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>)

256th National Meeting (2018)

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Modeling of nectar requirements for nectar foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera)