Concerning Increase in Threatened Wild Bee Varieties Throughout Europe

The number of non-managed bee types in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, and the total of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.

This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.

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

In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee species.”

The causes of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.

Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a decade ago.

Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in Europe depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the mainland and the single type of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific category nearest to disappearance in the wild.

Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean area, species such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.

Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.

“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are interested. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”

According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers developing flower-rich margins around their fields.

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

“Immediate and joint measures is required to tackle this risk. Together with participating nations, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinators,” she said.

The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were facing extinction.