The number of wild bee species in European nations facing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, and the total of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee types out of 1,928 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has risen from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, conducted over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in the European continent are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as 90% of blooming plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee groups 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 in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the European continent and the sole species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the research category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but eventually exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the timberline to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush taking over marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse northern grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest living space for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these reasons,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to turn around the drop in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. We hope they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this risk. Along with member states, the European Commission has put in place an Europe-wide observation system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly types in European nations were at risk of extinction.
