The number of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, and the number of threatened butterfly species has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were facing extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has risen from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food chains and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterflies and vital non-managed bee varieties.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the ongoing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a significant danger: Over half of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many wild plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but in the end have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is resulting in the tree line to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly throughout European nations because of all these factors,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to turn around the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. We hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce crop yields – and might boost it – such as growers creating margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to address this threat. Together with member states, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial Europe-wide study on hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Released in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
