Alarming Rise in Threatened Wild Bee Types In European Nations

The total of native bee types in the European continent facing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, and the count of threatened butterfly types has nearly doubled.

This dire scenario for crucial pollinating insects was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to over sixty since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterflies and crucial wild bee types.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing harm or degradation of living environments caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.

Global warming is also shown to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly double the number as a decade ago.

Up to ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent rely on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”

15 varieties of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the European continent and the sole species of this genus in European nations, is now classified as critically endangered – the research category nearest to disappearance in the wild.

Butterflies that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.

In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.

In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the timberline to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with scrub taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The greatest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these factors,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. Let’s hope they can receive the incentives that will support them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.

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

“Immediate and joint measures is required to confront this risk. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize application and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.

The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the first European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further crucial group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.