Alarming Increase in Endangered Non-Managed Bee Species In European Nations

The total of native bee varieties in Europe experiencing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, whereas the count of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.

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

The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has risen from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and crucial native bee varieties.”

The causes of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing harm or degradation of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.

Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are endangered by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a decade ago.

Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in Europe depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many wild plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”

15 varieties of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the mainland and the only species of this genus group in the European continent, is now classified as severely threatened – the research category closest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces 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 types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean area, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.

In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the forest boundary to move north by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.

“The biggest environment for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to turn around the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can receive the encouragements that will help them on their way.”

As per the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating flower-rich margins around their fields.

the EU’s environment commissioner, characterized the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.

“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this threat. Together with member states, the European Commission has established an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.

The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.