Alarming Rise in Endangered Wild Bee Species Throughout Europe

The total of native bee species in European nations facing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, while the number of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.

This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.

The count of butterflies at risk of extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, carried out over a decade past. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

Apart from their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our health, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with threats mounting for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee species.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing harm or degradation of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.

Global heating is also shown to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in Europe are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.

Nearly 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on pollination by animals, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, wild bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”

15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global warming as they need to move uphill as their habitats become warmer but in the end exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.

At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush invading wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to feed on Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout Europe because of all these factors,” stated Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are interested. Let’s hope they can obtain the incentives that will help them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as growers creating flower-rich margins around their fields.

the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.

“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this threat. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.

The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, another crucial group of pollinators. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.