Worrying Surge in Endangered Wild Bee Species Across the European Continent

The total of wild bee types in Europe confronting disappearance has more than doubled in the last ten years, and the number of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.

This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was revealed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in the European continent.

The total of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has risen from 37 to over sixty since the last study, performed 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with risks increasing for butterfly species and essential wild bee types.”

The factors of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.

Climate change is also shown to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a decade ago.

Up to ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent require insect pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”

15 varieties of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the continent and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific category nearest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are especially at risk to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.

In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.

At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is causing the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to graze Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these factors,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will help them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their fields.

EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.

“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this threat. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.

The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in Europe were facing extinction.