Worrying Increase in Endangered Non-Managed Bee Species Throughout the European Continent

The number of wild bee varieties in the European continent confronting disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the number of endangered butterfly has close to doubled.

This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, carried out over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.

“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly types and crucial non-managed bee species.”

The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.

Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.

As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations require pollination by animals, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”

Fifteen types of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterflies that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are threatened by intense drought and wildfires.

Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is resulting in the timberline to move north by tens of metres each year, with underbrush taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.

“The biggest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are engaged. Let’s hope they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”

As per Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce food production – and could improve it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.

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

“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this threat. Together with member states, the European Commission has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to focus on application and cooperation with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.

The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the initial Europe-wide study on hoverflies, an additional vital group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.