The count of non-managed bee types in the European continent facing disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly has close to doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from 37 to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks growing for butterfly species and vital wild bee species.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations require insect pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become more heated but in the end have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of European endemics (only found 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 Circle, global warming is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to graze Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across the European continent because of all these reasons,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinator group. Released in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
