The total of non-managed bee types in Europe confronting disappearance has over doubled over the past decade, while the total of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has increased from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food systems and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks growing for butterflies and crucial non-managed bee species.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the persistent harm or degradation of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the tree line to move north by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these factors,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to turn around the decrease in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. Let’s hope they can get the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to confront this threat. Along with participating nations, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to focus on application and cooperation with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the initial EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
