Alarming Increase in Threatened Non-Managed Bee Types Throughout European Nations

The number of native bee types in Europe facing disappearance has over doubled in the last ten years, while the number of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.

This pressing issue for vital pollinators was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.

The count of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to sixty-five since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.

“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks growing for butterflies and vital non-managed bee types.”

The causes of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.

Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are imperilled by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.

Up to 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”

Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.

Butterfly species that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but in the end run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.

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

At the same time, in the Arctic region, global heating is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.

“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these reasons,” remarked 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 understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will help them on their way.”

According to Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating species which won’t reduce crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.

EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.

“Urgent and collective action is required to address this danger. Along with member states, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and collaboration with member countries to protect our pollinators,” she said.

The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the initial EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were threatened with extinction.