Worrying Rise in Endangered Native Bee Species Across the European Continent

The number of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, whereas the count of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.

This critical situation for essential pollinating insects was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in European nations.

The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to sixty-five 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 significance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers growing for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee varieties.”

The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing destruction or damage of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.

Climate change is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate emergency – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.

Nearly 90% of flowering plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the continent and the single type of this biological genus in European nations, is now assessed as critically at risk – the research category closest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean area, types such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by intense wildfires and drought.

At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly in Europe because of all these reasons,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will assist them on their way.”

According to Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers developing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.

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

“Immediate and joint measures is needed to tackle this threat. Along with member states, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and collaboration with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.

The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in European nations were at risk of extinction.