Our experts apply OECD laboratory guidelines and EPA/OPPTS protocols for extended studies and actively contribute to international ring-testing initiatives that have been the backbone of several OECD test methods.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera)

• Acute oral/contact (OECD 213 / 214)
• Chronic adult (OECD 245)
• Larval toxicity (OECD 237; GD 239)
• Extended laboratory (OPPTS 850.3030)
• Semi field & field (OECD 75, EPPO 170, CEB 230)
• Brood feeding studies (EPPO; Oomen et al. 1992; EFSA guidance)

Bumble bee (Bombus terrestris)

• Acute oral/contact (OECD 246 / 247)
• Chronic (based on OECD 245 / 247)
• Semi field & field (OECD 75, EPPO 170, CEB 230)
• Coated seed dust and guttation exposure

Solitary bee (Osmia bicornis)

• Acute laboratory testing
• Semi field and field assessments

Pollinator exposure and residue

• Sampling of nectar, pollen, and hive matrices (wax, bee bread, honey) and relevant plant/soil/water/dust sources to characterise exposure
• Honey stomach preparations to quantify residues carried by foragers after application; pollen loads may be collected in parallel
• In-house analysis or transfer to your designated laboratory under controlled chain of custody

Studies can be conducted with leaf dwelling organisms such as parasitic wasps (Aphidius rhopalosiphi, Trichogramma cacoeciae), predatory mites (Typhlodromus pyri), aphidophagous predators (Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinella septempunctata) and anthocorid bugs (Orius laevigatus). Furthermore we offer studies with soil dwelling organisms like the carabid species Poecilus cupreus (adults and larvae), the staphylinid beetle Aleochara bilineata, and the lycosid spider genus Pardosa.

• Tier 1: Laboratory Studies: IOBC/WPRS 2000
• Tier 2: Extended Laboratory Studies: IOBC/WPRS 2000 or IOBC 2009
• Higher Tier: Aged Residue Studies: based on IOBC/WPRS 2000 and Semi Field Studies
• Field study: Predatory mite field studies, NTA Field In and Off-Crop, Arthropod insect residue and drift residue field.

We also customise non-standard studies for specific issues. For example:

• Effects of granulated test items on Aphidius rhopalosiphi (laboratory dust studies)
• Wind tunnel studies to mimic spray drift exposure
• Testing of coated seed or metabolites in laboratory and higher tier studies with soil inhabiting arthropods
• The sexually reproducing Sinella curviseta can be tested as an alternative to the parthenogenetic collembolan species Folsomia candida 
• Testing of the oribatid mite Oppia nitens (ISO Draft 23226:2018)

Furthermore, EAS is involved in new test system development (e.g., with herbivorous butterfly larvae Vanessa cardui and Pierris brassicae, feeding on test item treated leaves - exposure via food uptake) to address relevant requirements of current EFSA opinion papers.

Representative species

• Leaf‑dwelling: Aphidius rhopalosiphi, Trichogramma cacoeciae, Typhlodromus pyri, Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinella septempunctata, Orius laevigatus
• Soil‑dwelling: Poecilus cupreus (adults/larvae), Aleochara bilineata, Pardosa spp.

Study tiers

• Tier 1 laboratory: IOBC/WPRS (2000)
• Tier 2 extended laboratory: IOBC/WPRS (2000) or IOBC (2009)
• Higher tier: aged residue and semi-field studies
• Field: predatory mite field, in- and off-crop NTA, arthropod residue/drift residue field

Custom options

• Granule/dust effects on A. rhopalosiphi (lab dust studies)
• Wind‑tunnel spray Drift‑ simulations
• Coated seed/metabolite testing with soil arthropods
• Alternative collembolan (Sinella curviseta)
• Oribatid mite (Oppia nitens) (ISO Draft 23226:2018)

Greenhouse conditions allow year round execution

• Seedling emergence: OECD 208 / OCSPP 850.4100
• Vegetative vigor: OECD 227 / OCSPP 850.4150
• Chronic higher plants (soil quality): ISO 22030

Custom options

• Semi‑field under UV‑permeable roofs with rain protection
• Testing of non-crop species at vegetative and generative stages
• Ongoing test system development to address emerging EFSA requirements

We test dung flies (Musca autumnalis, Scatophaga stercoraria) and dung beetles (Onthophagus taurus, Aphodius constans). We participate in the DOTTs group and ring tests supporting method development.

• Dung flies: Developmental toxicity (OECD 228)
• Dung beetles: Developmental toxicity (OECD Guidance 122)
• Reproduction toxicity (per revised ring test protocol)

Operating since 1985, our avian safety laboratory (Easton, Maryland, USA) is recognised for its experience on a broad range of species, such as northern bobwhite, japanese quail, mallard, zebra finch, canary, as well as chickens, pheasants, house sparrows, pigeons, partridge. 

Custom study designs are offered for non-traditional species or to meet client-specific needs.

• Acute oral and sub‑acute dietary safety (including passerines)
• Biopesticide pathogenicity/safety
• Food avoidance/repellency (treated seeds/granules)
• Reproduction (500+ studies conducted), multi‑generation with endocrine endpoints
• Hen delayed neurotoxicity; poultry feeding/metabolism
• Avian residue and metabolism studies; chemistry support

• Pollinator monitoring of native bee communities under field conditions
• Drift residue laboratory/field studies for dust deposition during sowing of coated seeds or granule applications (e.g., per SANCO/10553/2012 rev.16 (2018) draft)
• Bird and mammal monitoring under realistic use to generate generic exposure data
• Non-GLP screening tests available for: Eisenia fetida, Folsomia candida, Hypoaspis aculeifer, Typhlodromus pyri, Aphidius rhopalosiphi, Apis mellifera, and Bombus terrestris
• Test‑system development, for instance:
  • Terrestrial isopods (Porcellio scaber) feeding on treated leaf litter (dietary exposure)
  • Herbivorous butterfly larvae (Vanessa cardui, Pieris brassicae) feeding on treated foliage (dietary exposure)
  • Seasonal honey‑bee laboratory testing in autumn/winter (Spain)