Pollinator Studies for Agrochemicals
What Are Pollinators
Pollinators play important roles in the growth of many of the world's major crops by helping to carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the same or another flower. The movement of pollen must occur for the plant to become fertilized and produce fruits, seeds and young plants. Some plants are self-pollinated, while others may be fertilized by pollen carried by wind or water. Still other flowers are pollinated by insects and animals, such as bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, birds, flies and small mammals, including bats. One third of global food production is improved with the help of pollinators, most of which are accomplished by bees.
Importance of Agrochemicals Pollinator Studies
Pollinators require healthy ecosystems, but pollinator habitats in agricultural areas can be affected by pesticides used in the neighboring agricultural fields. While pesticides can directly affect pollinator health, chemicals such as fungicides can indirectly affect pollinators by acting on the microorganisms and plants on which pollinators depend. The presence of these pesticides can also alter pollinator behavior in ways that change their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Frequent exposure of plants and soils to insecticide and fungicide treatments can alter microbial function in the soil and alter the availability of floral resources for foraging bees. In the context of the authorization of plant protection products, it must therefore be verified that they pose no unacceptable risks to bees and other pollinators.
Figure 1. Agroforestry and pollinators
Features of Our Services
BOC Sciences offers a wide range of agrochemicals pollinator studies that are designed and executed by a team of experienced scientists and technicians. We provide a full portfolio of laboratory contact and oral, larval and adult, honey bee and bumblebee tests to clients around the world.
- Standard studies to evaluate the acute toxicity of test items applied to attractive crops
- Special studies to assess possible risks to brood and sublethal effects on honey bees
- Honey bee residue studies and broader ecotoxicology services
- Nectar and pollen residue studies
- Honey bee research: We are experienced in honey bee standard studies. We have considerable expertise in conducting semi-field and field studies on related crops such as corn, sugar beets, potatoes and sunflowers, and our ecotoxicology group is very familiar with conducting parallel studies in different geographic locations.
- Wild solitary honeybee and bumblebee studies
- Pollinator monitoring studies
- Pollinator exposure in semi-field and field, including feeding studies
A Complete Portfolio of Pollinator Studies for Agrochemicals
Test species
- Honey bees (Apis mellifera mellifera, A.m. ligustica, A.m. carnica)
- Bumble bees (Bombus terrestris, B. impatiens)
- Mason bees (Osmia bicornis, O. cornuta, O. lignaria)
- Leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata)
- Brazil stingless bees
Figure 2. Bee pollination. (Rui, C.; et al. 2019)
Laboratory tests
- Acute effects
Honey bee adult oral and contact acute tests (OECD 213, 214 and OCSPP 850.3020)
Honey bee 7-day larval acute test (OECD 237)
Honey bee acute toxicity of residues on foliage (OCSPP 850.3030)
Bumble bee oral and contact acute tests (OECD 246, 247)
Solitary bee oral and contact acute tests (ICPPR/OECD Ring Test, 2016, 2017)
- Chronic effects
Honey bee 10-day adult chronic test (OECD 245)
Honey bee 8-day larval chronic test (OECD GD 239 modified)
Honey bee 22-day larval chronic test (OECD GD 239)
- Residue (bee matrix) studies
Tunnel (bee collection) or open field conditions (hand collection)
Pollen and nectar hand collection experience with more than 40 crops
Sampling from the hive and from the foragers (pollen load, stomach preparation and nectar extraction)
- Side effect studies
Semi-field and field studies on arable crops and orchards
Brood studies in tunnel or open field conditions (OECD 75, EPPO 170)
Feeding studies
Guttation studies
Effects of seed treatment dust
- OECD 223: Avian Acute Oral Toxicity
- OECD 205/OCSPP 850.2200: Dietary Toxicity Test
- OPPTS 885.4050: Microbial Pesticide Test Guidelines-Avian Oral, Tier I
- OPPTS 885,4100: Microbial Pesticide Test Guidelines-Avian Inhalation Test, Tier I
BOC Sciences Advantages
- Highly specialized technical and analytical services for the worldwide registration and regulatory compliance of agrochemicals
- Robust analytical testing programs that span from research and product development through the production process to final product
- Relies on broad industrial experience, ensuring that all of our work meets the high standards expected by our clients
- Our regulatory experts, toxicology consultants, scientists and inspectors will ensure that you receive maximum levels of guidance, testing and inspection you need.
Reference
- Rui, C.; et al. Bee pollination outperforms pesticides for oilseed crop production and profitability. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2019. 286(1912): 20191550.