The count of non-managed bee types in European nations facing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, and the number of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has risen from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with dangers growing for butterflies and crucial wild bee types.”
The factors 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 use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a significant danger: 52% of all at-risk butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate change crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent require pollination by animals, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the European continent and the single type of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they must ascend higher as their environments become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global heating is resulting in the timberline to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub taking over bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast throughout European nations because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to turn around the decline in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to address this threat. In collaboration with member states, the EU Commission has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and cooperation with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial European-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were at risk of extinction.
