It has been known for some time, for example, that Eristalis intricarius and Volucella pellucens, two European species of hoverfly that are poor mimics of bumblebees in general, and do not resemble any particular species, are widespread and common.

ECONOMIST: Insects and mimicry

The birds were formerly widespread and common in the UK, but they were gradually killed off by farmers and gamekeepers.

BBC: red kite

Still incentives for participating in wellness program are more common, and they also are becoming more widespread.

FORBES: Employers Ramp Up Wellness Penalties

University of Texas sociologist Jennifer Glass, a senior fellow at the Council on Contemporary Families, points out that corporate and government professionals in the United States put in much longer workweeks than their counterparts in Europe, where limits on work hours are common, workplace flexibility is more widespread, and workers are entitled to far more vacation days per year than most Americans -- and actually use them.

CNN: Why is 'having it all' just a women's issue?

More widespread butterflies also suffered - common blue numbers fell by 60% and cabbage whites fell by half, said the charity.

BBC: Butterflies suffered in cold and wet 2012, says charity

However, a study published in 2011 by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation suggests that "widespread" racist and anti-Muslim attitudes in Europe are no less common in Germany than in countries such as France, Italy or the Netherlands.

BBC: Q&A: German far right bucks European trend

While cyberbullying is becoming a common -- and easy -- platform for bullying, traditional face-to-face bullying remains widespread in schools.

CNN: After student's death, a weeklong look into bullying

Also evident is the impact of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the 60s and 70s that witnessed the intensification of farming powered by the widespread use of agrochemicals.

BBC: Thames archive reveals long nitrate rise