An important initial step in the hazard and risk assessment of pesticides to bees is to determine whether the crop to be treated is attractive to bees. This always will be the case if the crop is pollinated by bees. However, bees may also visit a crop for pollen and/or nectar, even if insect pollination is not required for that crop. In both cases, bees may be exposed to pesticides.

In the lists below, information is provided whether crops or plants are attractive to bees. Many of the lists are specific to certain geographical regions, and may therefore not contain all the crop(s) a risk assessor is interested in. However, together the lists provide a useful resource for pesticide risk assessment.

Note that there will be overlap among the various lists.

Global lists

Klein et al., 2007: Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. (Proceedings of the Royal Society B).

Appendix 2 of this article contains a list of crops that are pollinated and/or visited by bees. [Region: Global]

FAO (ongoing): Pollination Information Management System. This database provides information on pollination of key crops globally, including many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Note that is focusses on pollination and may not be complete regarding crops visited but not pollinated by bees. [Region: Global]

Regional/national lists

USA, 2015:  Attractiveness of agricultural crops to pollinating bees for the collection of nectar and/or pollen. United States Department of Agriculture. [Region: USA/North America]

FAO, 2007: Crops, browse and pollinators in Africa. An initial stock-taking. African Pollinator Initiative. [Region: Africa]

EFSA, 2013: Attractiveness of agricultural crops to honeybees and bumble bees for the collection of nectar and/or pollen.  Appendix D in: EFSA Guidance Document on the risk assessment of plant protection products on bees (Apis mellifera, Bombus spp. and solitary bees). European Food Safety Authority. [Region: Europe]

The Netherlands, 2015: Attractiveness of agricultural crops to honeybees for the collection of nectar and/or pollen. Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) [Region: The Netherlands/North-West Europe]

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Toolkit Reference [A09-03-01-Z]