Concerning Surge in At-Risk Native Bee Species Throughout the European Continent

The count of native bee species in the European continent experiencing dying out has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the total of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.

This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with risks mounting for butterfly species and vital wild bee types.”

The factors of the rapid recent declines are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the risk of local extinctions.

Global heating is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.

As many as ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe require insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee groups are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to disappearance in the wild.

Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their habitats become warmer but in the end have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.

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

At the same time, in the Arctic region, climate change is leading to the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice sheets to feed on Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The greatest living space for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout European nations because of all these factors,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to halt the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are interested. We hope they can receive the incentives that will assist them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which won’t reduce food production – and may enhance it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.

EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.

“Immediate and joint measures is required to tackle this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.

The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another crucial pollinator group. Released in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.