The total of native bee varieties in European nations confronting extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the count of threatened butterfly has close to doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in European nations has risen from over thirty-five to 65 since the previous assessment, performed over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food chains and our economies – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with dangers growing for butterfly types and vital native bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the risk of local extinctions.
Global heating is also shown to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
As many as ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe rely on insect pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee populations are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the mainland and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter but eventually exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are endangered by severe drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is causing the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly throughout Europe because of all these elements,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to reverse the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can receive the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating species which will not lower food production – and might boost it – such as growers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, described the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this danger. Together with member states, the EU Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Released in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.
