Worrying Increase in Endangered Native Bee Species Across European Nations

The total of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, and the total of endangered butterfly species has nearly doubled.

This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in European nations.

The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterflies and crucial non-managed bee varieties.”

The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing harm or degradation of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.

Global warming is also shown to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly species in European nations are endangered by the climate emergency – about double the number as a ten years ago.

Nearly 90% of plants that flower in European nations rely on animal pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”

15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the single type of this genus in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become more heated but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.

At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.

“The greatest environment for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to turn around the decline in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are involved. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.

Jessika Roswall, characterized the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.

“Urgent and collective action is necessary to address this risk. Along with member states, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to focus on execution and cooperation with member countries to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.

The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first European-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were threatened with extinction.