The count of non-managed bee species in European nations facing disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the count of endangered butterfly species has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, performed a decade and a half ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their beauty and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterflies and crucial native bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly species in the European continent are imperilled by the climate crisis – about twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations require insect pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, native bee groups are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global warming as they have to climb upward as their environments become warmer but in the end exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is resulting in the timberline to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with scrub encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to graze Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this region, 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 throughout the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to halt the drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are engaged. We hope they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to confront this threat. Along with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another vital pollinator group. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
