Wild bees are known to represent the most important pollinator group of wild plants and crops. Approximately 2,000 wild bee species occur in Europe, 9% of which are classified as threatened, but over half are classified as Data Deficient. Due to the importance of wild bees as pollinators, there is a strong need for conservation action. Existing projects typically focus either on large bumble bee species, or on untargeted action (e.g., bee hotels or flower strips). While this may benefit some species, they are usually not specific enough to improve or restore populations of highly threatened bees, which may be highly specialised on pollen sources or nesting sites. Wild bees specialised on teasel (Dipsacoideae) are at particular risk of extinction. Teasel is an important summer resource for specialists and generalist flower visitors, and contributes to ecological importance and aesthetic value in species-rich grasslands. We will present in this talk how we developed the basis for a Conservation Action Plan for these wild bee species, including four species which are classified as Endangered on the European Red List and two as Near Threatened. These species are considered umbrella species for the conservation of teasel-plant rich grassland communities. For each of these species, a comprehensive review of the known information on taxonomy and systematics, biology and ecology, functions and values, historical and current distribution and demography, habitat and resource availability and threats was provided. We also identified the major knowledge gaps and necessary conservation action for these wild bee species.
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