The number of wild bee varieties in Europe confronting extinction has increased twofold over the past decade, and the count of endangered butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinators was revealed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food chains and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with risks growing for butterflies and vital wild bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterflies in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a decade ago.
As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in the European continent rely on animal pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, non-managed bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the continent and the single type of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global warming as they need to move uphill as their environments become hotter but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are endangered by intense dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast across Europe because of all these factors,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, 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 land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers 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 “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to tackle this danger. Together with member countries, the European Commission has implemented an EU-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with participating nations to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
