The count of non-managed bee varieties in European nations facing dying out has increased twofold over the past decade, while the count of at-risk butterfly has close to doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species facing extinction in European nations has increased from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, performed 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with risks growing for butterfly types and essential native bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterfly types in the European continent are endangered by the climate emergency – approximately twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in Europe require animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, wild bee groups are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but ultimately exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are imperilled by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is causing the forest boundary to move north by many meters each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are interested. We hope they can obtain the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and collaboration with member countries to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the first EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
