The count of native bee types in European nations confronting dying out has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the total of threatened butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of over 1900 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The count of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has risen from 37 to sixty-five since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with risks increasing for butterflies and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are threatened by the climate change crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in the European continent require insect pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many native plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the continent and the sole species of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become more heated but eventually exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is resulting in the timberline to move north by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest environment for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly in Europe because of all these factors,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to halt the decrease in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinating species which will not lower agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers establishing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to tackle this threat. Together with member states, the EU Commission has put in place an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize application and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
