Introduction of indices for the evaluation of tent tests and field tests with honeybees

According to the EPPO-guideline 170 different evaluations are requested in tent tests and field tests with honeybees. Many data are generated as counted or measured values, e.g. for mortality, foraging activity and brood development. Although they can be presented in tables or in graphs, these absolute figures are open for any interpretation. It is proposed to calculate averages of the respective parameters for data before application and for data after application for all bee colonies in one test unit. This concentrates the data and allows the comparison of the state after application with the state before application. A simple mathematical division converts the absolute data into relative data. The use of the proposed indices, representing relative data instead of absolute ones, could be a helpful tool for the interpretation of the obtained data in tent tests and field tests with honeybees.