Concerning Increase in At-Risk Non-Managed Bee Types Throughout European Nations

The number of wild bee types in the European continent experiencing disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the number of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.

This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.

The number of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

Apart from their beauty and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN director general. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with dangers increasing for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee species.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the persistent harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.

Global heating is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all threatened butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a decade ago.

As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in the European continent depend on animal pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”

Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the continent and the single type of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

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

At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the tree line to shift northward by many meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates 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 region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.

“The largest environment for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers establishing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.

Jessika Roswall, characterized the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.

“Immediate and joint measures is required to tackle this risk. In collaboration with participating nations, the European Commission has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and collaboration with participating nations to protect our pollinating species,” she said.

The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were at risk of extinction.