The total of wild bee species in the European continent experiencing disappearance has more than doubled in the last ten years, while the count of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was disclosed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee types.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in European nations rely on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the mainland and the sole species of this biological genus in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their environments become more heated but eventually exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with bushes invading bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly throughout Europe because of all these elements,” stated 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 drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this threat. Together with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering European-wide study on hoverflies, an additional crucial group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in European nations were at risk of extinction.
