Alarming Increase in Threatened Non-Managed Bee Varieties Throughout the European Continent

The count of non-managed bee varieties in the European continent experiencing dying out has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the total of threatened butterfly has close to doubled.

This pressing issue for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.

The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the last study, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.

In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food supplies and our financial structures – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterfly species and essential native bee varieties.”

The causes of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of living environments caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the risk of disappearances in specific areas.

Global warming is also revealed to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterflies in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a previous decade.

Nearly ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent rely on animal pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”

Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, recognized for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically endangered – the research category nearest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.

In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is causing the forest boundary to move north by many meters each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to browse northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the motivations that will help them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not decrease crop yields – and might boost it – such as growers developing flower-rich margins around their farmland.

EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an EU-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize application and collaboration with member states to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.

The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the initial European-wide study on hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were threatened with extinction.