The count of wild bee varieties in the European continent confronting extinction has more than doubled in the last ten years, and the total of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee types out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterfly species and essential wild bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all threatened butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly twice as many as a ten years ago.
As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, native bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the continent and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but in the end exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, climate change is causing the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub invading bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly in the European continent because of all these reasons,” stated Martin Warren. “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 drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease crop yields – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this threat. Together with member states, the EU Commission has put in place an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with participating nations to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another crucial pollinator group. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
