Bumblebee Acute Oral Toxicity Test (OECD TG 247)
The Bumblebee Acute Oral Toxicity Test according to OECD TG 247 is designed to evaluate the short-term toxic effects of chemicals on adult bumblebees (Bombus spp.) via oral exposure. This test provides crucial information for assessing potential risks to pollinators, which are essential for maintaining ecosystem health and agricultural productivity.
In this study, adult worker bumblebees are fed a sugar solution containing a range of concentrations of the test substance under controlled laboratory conditions. Observations are made over a 48-hour period to monitor mortality, feeding behavior, and any abnormal activity.
The primary endpoint is mortality, which is used to determine the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) or concentration (LC₅₀) causing death in 50% of the bees. Sublethal effects, such as reduced feeding or altered behavior, may also be recorded to provide additional information on chemical impacts.
This test is an important component of pollinator risk assessment and supports regulatory evaluation of plant protection products and other chemicals with potential exposure to bumblebee populations.
