The count of non-managed bee types in European nations experiencing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the number of threatened butterfly has almost doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating insects was unveiled by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has risen from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with dangers increasing for butterflies and vital wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.
Nearly ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type 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 scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but eventually run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these factors,” said 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 consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to turn around the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can receive the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to confront this risk. Together with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were at risk of extinction.
