Concerning Rise in Threatened Native Bee Varieties Across Europe

The number of wild bee varieties in Europe facing extinction has more than doubled over the past decade, and the number of endangered butterfly species has nearly doubled.

This dire scenario for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least 172 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.

The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks growing for butterflies and essential wild bee types.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.

Climate change is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – about twice as many as a decade ago.

Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in Europe require pollination by animals, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”

Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the continent and the single type of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but in the end have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are endangered by intense drought and wildfires.

In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is resulting in the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly across European nations because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the decline in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are interested. We hope they can get the encouragements that will help them on their way.”

As stated by the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.

EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.

“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to address this threat. Together with participating nations, the EU Commission has put in place an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with participating nations to protect our pollinating species,” she said.

The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.