The number of wild bee varieties in European nations experiencing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, while the number of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinators was disclosed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in Europe has risen from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with dangers growing for butterflies and essential native bee types.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – about twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations rely on animal pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the only species of this genus group in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these elements,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to confront this threat. Along with member states, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize execution and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
