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Paper short abstract

Human–pollinator relations have significant health interdependencies. Beyond agriculture, wild pollinators contribute to ecological stability and human wellbeing, while pesticides harm both insects and human health. This study explores links between non-monetary benefits of humans-insects mutualism.

Paper long abstract

Pollinating insects are recognized for their contribution to agriculture. However, Western European societies remain strongly oriented toward their economic value, prioritizing crop productivity and emblematic species, particularly the honey bee (Apis mellifera), while overlooking vast diversity of wild pollinating insects and their relationships with humans. Pollination is carried out by a wide range of taxa, including hundreds of wild bee species, flies, beetles, butterflies, and others. Moreover, the ecological mechanisms linking multispecies pollinator communities to plant productivity remain only partially understood, and the role of diverse pollinator assemblages is an important area of scientific uncertainty.

This presentation examines multispecies mutualism between humans and wild pollinating insects, with particular attention to non-monetary benefits, including cultural, experiential, and health-related dimensions. While insects are frequently associated with risks to human health—such as stings, allergies, or vectors of disease—their positive contributions to human wellbeing is underexplored.

Human–insect relations are also shaped by significant trade-offs. Insecticides used for pest control typically target insect nervous systems, making them harmful not only to pest species but also to non-target pollinators and potentially to human health. Existing mitigation measures, such as restrictions on spraying times, primarily protect managed honey bees while often overlooking wild pollinators.

The study combines a literature review on the non-monetary values of pollinators with in-depth interviews with actors engaged in cultural and ecological initiatives. Grounded in environmental sociology and social-ecological systems research, we seek insights from Science and Technology Studies to explore cultural practices that may foster greater recognition of human–pollinator mutualism.