The count of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting dying out has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the count of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was unveiled by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the earlier research, carried out over a decade past. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food chains and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” said the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterflies and essential native bee varieties.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the ongoing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterflies in Europe are imperilled by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in European nations depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the mainland and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become more heated but in the end run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of European endemics (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global warming is leading to the timberline to move north by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across the European continent because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the drop in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. Let’s 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 species which will not lower food production – and could improve it – such as farmers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this danger. Together with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with member states to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinator group. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
