Alarming Increase in At-Risk Non-Managed Bee Types Throughout the European Continent

The count of native bee types in the European continent experiencing disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.

This critical situation for vital pollinating insects was unveiled by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.

The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to sixty-five since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks increasing for butterfly types and essential native bee species.”

The causes of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.

Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly species in the European continent are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.

Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations rely on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”

15 varieties of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain tops are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their environments become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, species such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe drought and wildfires.

Meanwhile, in the Far North, global heating is causing the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush taking over marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The largest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these reasons,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to turn around the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can receive the incentives that will support them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as growers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.

the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection 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 states, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.

The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further crucial group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.