The “Teasel-plant specialised bees in Europe-Conservation Action Plan 2023–2030” presents conservation planning for six key wild bee species associated with teasel-rich grasslands. These wild bees are at particular risk of extinction as land use changes cause the decline of suitable habitats while also taking away the teasel plants on which they rely for their survival. The reduction of host plants due to agricultural intensification and decrease of xerothermic grassland is now leading to the disappearing of the six species studied in this Plan.
1.1.1 Creation of a steering group
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: initial end date - 2022
1.1.2 Develop and secure funding for an EU-wide project to deliver the plan
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: initial end date - 2023
1.2.1 Conduct national red list (re-)/assessments for wild bees in the following EU countries: Greece, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
1.2.2 Add Dasypoda braccata, Dasypoda spinigera, Dasypoda suripes and Trachusa interrupta to national lists of protected species in EU countries
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2028
1.3.1 Integrate habitat restoration of teasel-plant rich meadows in implementation of the EU Restoration regulation (Natura 2000 site management)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025
1.3.2 Consider occurrence of threatened teasel-plant specialised bees in the expansion of the European protected area network
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025
1.3.3 Convene a stakeholder platform with bee-keeping community and wild bee conservation community to provide recommendations on bee-keeping in protected areas
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025
1.3.4 Instigate EU-wide sustainable management of honey bees in PAs
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
1.4.1 Ensure consideration of threatened teasel-plant specialised bees in the implementation of EU habitat action plan for habitat type 6210 (Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates) or future plans of other relevant habitat types
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025
1.4.2 Ensure consideration of threatened teasel-plant specialised bees in National Action Plans for pollinators or insects
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025
1.5.1 Conduct a gap analysis to obtain an overview of the number and identity of teasel-plant specialised bee populations (Dasypoda braccata, Dasypoda spinigera, Dasypoda suripes and Trachusa interrupta) outside protected areas
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
1.5.2 Instigate planning and designation of protected areas for currently unprotected populations of Dasypoda braccata, Dasypoda spinigera, Dasypoda suripes and Trachusa interrupta
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2028
2.1.1 Conduct field surveys at localities of all historic records of Dasypoda braccata, Dasypoda spinigera, Dasypoda suripes and key localities of Trachusa interrupta in the European Union and neighbouring countries
In Luxemburg, field surveys were conducted focusing on Andrena hattorfiana. There are plans to start mapping teasel-plant rich grasslands this year
Status: in progress (50%)
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: initial end date - 2024
2.1.2 Estimate population sizes of remaining populations of Dasypoda braccata, D. spinigera, D. suripes and selected populations of Trachusa interrupta in the European Union
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
2.1.3 Study genetic diversity of remaining populations of Dasypoda braccata, D. spinigera, D. suripes and Trachusa interrupta in Europe
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.1.4 Conduct a survey of other teasel-plant specialised bee species, which are currently classified as Data Deficient (e.g. Tetraloniella pollinosa, T. scabiosae, Andrena marginata, A. albopunctata and others)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
2.1.5 Study distribution of teasel-plant rich grassland (in combination with bare ground) as potential habitats.
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.2.1 Research on habitat preferences (nesting sites, preferred teasel-plant species, microclimate (humidity, temperature)) for the six teasel-plant specialised bee species
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.2.2 Research on minimum size of host plant population to maintain a viable bee population (for all six teasel-plant specialised bee species)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
2.2.3 Study on the connectivity of populations, mobility of bee species with focus on dispersal and foraging capability as well as metapopulation dynamics and role of stepping stones or corridors
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
2.3.1 Study on the consequences of different grassland management regimes (grazing, mowing) on flower and nesting site availability and the populations of teasel-plant specialised bees
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.3.2 Development of best practice guidance for habitat management and restoration for teasel-plant specialised bees
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.3.3 Study on how green inf rastructure (roadsides, power lines) can promote the species
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.3.4 Study on parasites
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2029
2.3.5 Study on microbiomes
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2030
2.3.6 Study on effects of climate change on the availability of habitat
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
2.4.1 Development of a standardised monitoring protocol for teasel-plant specialised bees (D. braccata, D. spinigera, D. suripes, A. hattorfiana, T. interrupta)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 5 February
To be completed: 2026
2.4.2 Integration of monitoring scheme for teasel-plant specialised bees (D. braccata, D. spinigera, D. suripes, A. hattorfiana, T. interrupta) into the European Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EUPOMS)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 5 February
To be completed: 2026
2.4.3 Establishment of a monitoring scheme for effectiveness of conservation actions for threatened teasel-plant specialised bees
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 5 February
To be completed: 2027
3.1.1 Ensure that existing plans of relevant Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas recognise and integrate action for teasel-plant specialised bees
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
3.1.2 Adapt local conservation grasslands management to increase habitat size and reduce habitat f ragmentation for threatened teasel-plant specialised bees in areas with occurrence of any of the six target species.
In Luxemburg, current work on a national adaptation of the action plan, will likely include also actions on grassland management
Status: In Progress
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
3.1.3 Minimise impact of honey bees on remaining populations of threatened teasel-plant specialised bees.
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
3.1.4 Develop specific (spatially explicit) habitat management protocol documents based upon the surveys and population estimates f rom actions 2.1.1 and 2.1.2
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
3.1.5 Explore options to reintroduce D. braccata, D. spinigera and D. suripes in areas or countries where they are regionally extinct
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2028
3.2.1 Identify areas for an optimised habitat network for teasel-plant specialised bees
There have been efforts to start analyses to develop buzzlines for threatened pollinators in Luxembourg.
Status: in progress (25%)
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
3.2.2 Habitat restoration: Restore bare ground areas and teasel-plant rich grassland in potential habitats close to existing populations and/or former occurrences of the species
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2028
4.1.1 Promote late mowing of meadows to benefit teasel-plant rich meadows
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
4.1.2 Promote late mowing of public spaces (roadsides, power lines, parks, gardens, etc.)
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
4.1.3 Promote integrated pest management and reinforce recommendation to ban or reduce pesticides and herbicides in protected areas with occurrence of teasel-plant specialised bees
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2026
4.1.4 Promote reduction of nitrogen deposition in grassland areas rich in teasel plants and ensure maintenance of low nutrient levels in areas which are already suitable
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
5.1.1 Prepare general outreach material (infographics, etc.) on teasel-plant specialised bees, including information on their biology, requirements, threats and successful conservation action
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: initial end date - 2024 (update based upon
completed actions 2027)
5.1.2 Create information signs in protected areas with occurrence of threatened teasel-bee specialised bees to inform about the values, habitats and threats
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2025 (update 2028)
5.1.3 Provide information about the teasel-plant specialised bee action plan and implementation on the EU Pollinator Information Hive
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: initial end date - 2023
5.1.4 Provide case studies on successful teasel-plant specialised bee management
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2029
5.1.5 Disseminate information on teasel-plant specialised bee conservation in LIFE project ‘LIFE4pollinators’
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2023
5.1.6 Awareness raising with farmers
Status: Not Started
Updated on: 6 February 2025
To be completed: 2027
5.2.1 Develop a label ‘teasel-bee village’ to distinguish municipalities which apply teasel-plant specialised bee f riendly habitat management
Status:
Updated on:
To be completed:
5.2.2 Develop an illustrated catalogue of teasel-bee-f riendly plants for public spaces and private gardens
Status:
Updated on:
To be completed:
5.2.3 Engage citizens in habitat maintenance or restoration
Status:
Updated on:
To be completed:
5.2.4 Engage citizens in teasel-plant specialised bee monitoring
Status:
Updated on:
To be completed: