Worrying Surge in Threatened Native Bee Varieties Throughout European Nations

The count of wild bee varieties in Europe confronting dying out has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the count of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.

This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.

The count of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, carried out a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

Apart from their beauty and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks growing for butterfly species and vital wild bee species.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing destruction or damage of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the threat of extinctions at local level.

Climate change is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a previous decade.

Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by severe drought and wildfires.

Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to move north by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to graze northern grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.

“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly in European nations because of all these reasons,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly 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 drop in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are interested. Let’s hope they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”

As per the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their fields.

EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on application and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.

The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.