Concerning Increase in At-Risk Non-Managed Bee Species In Europe

The count of wild bee types in the European continent experiencing dying out has over doubled in the last ten years, whereas the total of endangered butterfly has nearly doubled.

This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee types out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.

The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has risen from 37 to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly species and essential wild bee species.”

The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.

Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly species in the European continent are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.

Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations rely on pollination by animals, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee groups are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the mainland and the only species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become hotter but in the end exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.

In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.

Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly throughout Europe because of all these factors,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can get the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”

According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers creating flower-rich margins around their fields.

Jessika Roswall, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.

“Prompt and unified steps is required to tackle this risk. Along with participating nations, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide observation 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 member states to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.

The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in European nations were at risk of extinction.