The count of native bee species in European nations confronting extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the total of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, performed 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with threats increasing for butterfly species and essential native bee varieties.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a ten years ago.
As many as nine out of ten of flowering plants in European nations rely on pollination by animals, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the only species of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they must ascend higher as their environments become more heated but eventually run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is leading to the tree line to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to browse northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not lower crop yields – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers establishing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to confront this threat. Together with participating nations, the European Commission has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and cooperation with member states to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in European nations were at risk of extinction.
