The number of native bee types in the European continent experiencing disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the number of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterflies facing extinction in European nations has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, performed over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterfly types and crucial wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterflies in Europe are threatened by the climate change crisis – about twice as many as a decade ago.
As many as ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations rely on insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as severely threatened – the research category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but in the end run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are imperilled by intense dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global warming is resulting in the timberline to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with scrub invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly throughout European nations because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are interested. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not decrease agricultural output – and might boost it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to confront this danger. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union 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 cooperation with member countries to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the pioneering Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, another crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.
