Europe's wild bees are dying out — and scientists say time is running out

Most of Europe's wild bee species and about half of its hover fly species have declined over the last century, according to a new study released as the UN biodiversity summit Cop17 opens in Armenia. Researchers examined records dating back to 1921. They found that in every part of Europe except the Alpine region, more bee species are declining than increasing. The number of bee and hover fly species fell steadily in the Atlantic and Continental regions. Trends in other areas were mixed or even positive. The findings point to a "crucial opportunity to act," researchers say, as governments meet at Cop17 to discuss protecting the natural world. Wild bees and hover flies are key pollinators. Their decline threatens food production and healthy ecosystems across the continent.