The number of wild bee species in European nations experiencing disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the count of threatened butterfly has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has grown from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks growing for butterfly types and essential wild bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the continuing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
Up to 90% of blooming plants in Europe depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are endangered by severe drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global warming is resulting in the timberline to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush taking over bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to graze 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.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these reasons,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people 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 decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and might boost it – such as farmers creating margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to address this danger. Along with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
