Alarming Increase in At-Risk Native Bee Varieties Throughout the European Continent

The total of wild bee species in the European continent confronting extinction has over doubled over the past decade, whereas the number of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.

This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.

The count of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has risen from 37 to over sixty since the last study, performed over a decade past. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our financial structures – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with risks mounting for butterfly species and essential native bee varieties.”

The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of local extinctions.

Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.

As many as 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the continent and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to global heating as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but eventually have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.

In the meantime, in the Far North, global warming is leading to the tree line to move north by tens of metres each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.

“The largest environment for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to turn around the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. We hope they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”

As per the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which will not lower crop yields – and could improve it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.

Jessika Roswall, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.

“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to address this danger. Along with member countries, the EU Commission has put in place an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinators,” she said.

The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in European nations were at risk of extinction.