Alarming Surge in Threatened Native Bee Species Across the European Continent

The total of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the count of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.

This dire scenario for essential pollinating insects was unveiled by research studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were facing extinction in European nations.

The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in European nations has increased from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and crucial non-managed bee types.”

The causes of the quick recent decreases are the persistent damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of extinctions at local level.

Global warming is also shown to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – about twofold the amount as a previous decade.

Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations require insect pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee groups are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the European continent and the single type of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain tops are especially at risk to global warming as they must ascend higher as their habitats become hotter but in the end exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.

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

At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is leading to the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these factors,” stated Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to halt the drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can receive the motivations that will help them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.

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

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this danger. In collaboration with member states, the EU 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 focus on execution and cooperation with member states to protect our pollinators,” she said.

The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinator group. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were threatened with extinction.