The total of non-managed bee varieties in Europe experiencing extinction has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating insects was revealed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterfly types and crucial native bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all at-risk butterfly species in the European continent are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a previous decade.
As many as nine out of ten of flowering plants in Europe rely on animal pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the European continent and the sole species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by severe dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush invading wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these factors,” said 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 nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were at risk of extinction.
