Alarming Rise in Threatened Wild Bee Varieties Throughout the European Continent

The count of non-managed bee species in Europe confronting dying out has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the count of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.

This critical situation for essential pollinators was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least over 170 bee varieties out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in European nations.

The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in European nations has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.

In addition to their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and vital wild bee types.”

The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the danger of extinctions at local level.

Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterfly species in the European continent are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately twofold the amount as a ten years ago.

Nearly nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent rely on animal pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”

Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the continent and the single type of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.

In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can not anymore cross the ice sheets to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly in the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the drop in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will help them on their way.”

According to Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their fields.

Jessika Roswall, described the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.

“Prompt and unified steps is required to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.

The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were at risk of extinction.