Alarming Increase in At-Risk Wild Bee Varieties Throughout European Nations

The number of non-managed bee types in European nations confronting disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the total of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.

This dire scenario for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in Europe.

The count of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has risen from 37 to 65 since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

In addition to their beauty and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly types and crucial wild bee varieties.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the risk of extinctions at local level.

Global heating is also shown to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a previous decade.

As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in Europe rely on pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”

15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the continent and the single type of this genus in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but in the end run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme drought and wildfires.

Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to move north by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.

“The greatest environment for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these elements,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to halt the decline in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are interested. We hope they can obtain the motivations that will help them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease crop yields – and could improve it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.

EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.

“Urgent and collective action is required to address this risk. Along with member countries, the EU Commission has established an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and cooperation with participating nations to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.

The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.