The count of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the count of at-risk butterfly has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, performed 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and vital native bee types.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the persistent damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in Europe rely on pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the European continent and the only species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but eventually have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly in the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to reverse the drop in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and could improve it – such as growers creating bloom-filled edges around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to confront this threat. Along with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in European nations were threatened with extinction.
