The total of native bee types in Europe confronting dying out has more than doubled in the last ten years, whereas the number of endangered butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in the European continent has increased from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, carried out over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food chains and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers growing for butterflies and crucial native bee types.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in Europe are endangered by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as 90% of flowering plants in European nations rely on insect pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, famous for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the research category closest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, 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 area, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is causing the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice to browse northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast throughout Europe because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which will not decrease agricultural output – and might boost it – such as growers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this danger. Together with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the pioneering EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
