The count of wild bee types in the European continent facing dying out has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was unveiled by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from 37 to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks increasing for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the only species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become hotter but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush taking over marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly throughout the European continent because of all these factors,” said Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are involved. We hope they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to confront this threat. Along with participating nations, the EU Commission has implemented an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and collaboration with member states to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, an additional vital group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
