Worrying Rise in Threatened Native Bee Types Throughout Europe

The total of wild bee types in European nations facing dying out has more than doubled over the past decade, and the count of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.

This critical situation for vital pollinating insects was revealed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least 172 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in European nations.

The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in European nations has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, performed over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

“Beyond their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with threats increasing for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee types.”

The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the danger of extinctions at local level.

Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a previous decade.

Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in Europe require animal pollination, as stated by 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 die out, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”

15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the European continent and the sole species of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as severely threatened – the research category closest to disappearance in the wild.

Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global warming as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter 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 species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.

In the Mediterranean, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.

At the same time, in the Arctic region, climate change is leading to the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout Europe because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can get the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”

As stated by Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce food production – and may enhance it – such as growers developing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.

the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.

“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this danger. Along with member states, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.

The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Published in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were threatened with extinction.