Prospects for the integrated application of bumblebee pollination and green plant protection in crop production

The distinctive pollination behavior of bumblebees plays a crucial role in the pollination of facility-grown crops. However, the long-standing dependence on chemical pesticides for pest and disease management has substantially impeded the widespread adoption of bumblebee pollination technology. In fact, effective pollination and sustainable pest control are mutually reinforcing, therefore, the integration of green pest control strategies is essential to mitigate pesticide-induced risks to bumblebee populations. This paper provides a comprehensive review from three perspectives: the relationship between bumblebee pollination and crop diseases, the interaction between bumblebee pollination and plant protection, and the integrated application of green plant protection technologies with bumblebee pollination systems. It also proposes future directions of synergy and collaboration between green plant protection strategies and bumblebee pollination. The objective is to provide a reference for the conservation and wider implementation of bumblebee pollination technology, as well as supporting the establishment of a comprehensive food security framework and advancing high-quality, sustainable agricultural development.