Alarming Rise in At-Risk Non-Managed Bee Types In European Nations

The count of wild bee varieties in Europe facing extinction has over doubled over the past decade, while the total of at-risk butterfly species has almost doubled.

This critical situation for vital pollinating species was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee types out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

In addition to their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks growing for butterfly types and essential wild bee species.”

The reasons of the swift recent drops are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of local extinctions.

Global heating is also shown to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a decade ago.

As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in the European continent require insect pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”

15 varieties of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the European continent and the only species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the research category closest to disappearance in the wild.

Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.

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

At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the timberline to move north by many meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The largest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these factors,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to reverse the decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are interested. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”

As per Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.

EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this risk. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and partnership with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.

The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first Europe-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were at risk of extinction.