More recent work regarding lab vs real world pesticide studies

Sublethal effects in higher-tier studies 

> In regulatory ecotoxicological testing there is a hierarchical tiered study system that includes the fundamental principle that lower-tier studies are overridden by the results of higher-tier (more realistic) studies. This means for bee testing that, where appropriate highertier studies (tunnel, field) are available, the conduct of specific laboratory-based sublethal studies is unnecessary, and higher-tier data should override the results of possible sublethal studies. 

> Sublethal effects, if they occur and are ecologically relevant, should also be apparent under appropriately designed field or tunnel conditions, otherwise they can be considered artefacts of laboratory conditions and thus not relevant for the final risk assessment. Whether a semi-field or a field design is more appropriate to address a certain type of effect will depend on the specific nature of the effect under consideration. So far there is no indication that sublethal effects that might be relevant could not be covered by semi-field or field study designs. 

> Available higher-tier data (semi-field, field tests) should make any additional sublethal testing unnecessary, and higher-tier data should always override data of lower-tier trials on sublethal effects. 

 -- Thompson, H. M., & Maus, C. (2007). The relevance of sublethal effects in honey bee testing for pesticide risk assessment. Pest Management Science,63(11), 1058-1061.

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