The total of wild bee types in European nations confronting extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the number of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the last study, conducted a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with dangers growing for butterfly types and crucial native bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the risk of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also revealed to be a significant danger: Over half of all endangered butterflies in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become more heated but eventually have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is resulting in the tree line to move north by dozens of meters each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these factors,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to reverse the decline in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which won’t reduce crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this threat. Along with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to concentrate on application and cooperation with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.
