The count of native bee varieties in the European continent confronting dying out has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, and the number of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee types out of 1,928 were facing extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly types at risk of extinction in the European continent has increased from over thirty-five to 65 since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food systems and our economies – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterfly species and vital native bee species.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also shown to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly types in Europe are threatened by the climate emergency – about twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in European nations depend on animal pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the mainland and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they must ascend higher as their environments become more heated but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is causing the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice to browse northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these elements,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the decline in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to confront this danger. Together with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
