The count of wild bee varieties in Europe facing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, whereas the count of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has risen from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, carried out a decade and a half ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers increasing for butterfly species and vital wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also revealed to be a significant danger: Over half of all threatened butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly ninety percent of blooming plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, native bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by intense dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global warming is leading to the timberline to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice to graze northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers establishing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this threat. Together with participating nations, the European Commission has established an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further vital pollinator group. Published in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
