Concerning Increase in Endangered Wild Bee Types In the European Continent

The total of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.

This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was unveiled by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has grown from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.

In addition to their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterfly types and essential wild bee species.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.

Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all threatened butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.

As many as ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe depend on pollination by animals, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the continent and the only species of this genus in European nations, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.

Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.

In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.

In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.

“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. We hope they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”

As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not lower crop yields – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing flower-rich margins around their farmland.

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

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this threat. Together with member states, the European Commission has put in place an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.

The release of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first Europe-wide study on hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were facing extinction.