Worrying Surge in At-Risk Native Bee Varieties Throughout Europe

The total of wild bee species in the European continent confronting disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.

This pressing issue for vital pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.

The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, performed 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with risks growing for butterfly types and essential wild bee species.”

The causes of the swift recent drops are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the risk of local extinctions.

Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.

Nearly 90% of plants that flower in Europe rely on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the European continent and the single type of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of European endemics (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.

At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is resulting in the timberline to move north by tens of metres each year, with bushes taking over marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.

“The greatest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly in Europe because of all these factors,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to turn around the decrease in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.

Jessika Roswall, characterized the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.

“Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this danger. Together with member states, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.

The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital pollinator group. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were at risk of extinction.