The total of non-managed bee varieties in European nations confronting disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly species facing extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterfly species and vital wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Climate change is also shown to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in the European continent are imperilled by the climate crisis – about double the number as a ten years ago.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the only species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but in the end exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to turn around the drop in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will help them on their way.”
According to Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating insects which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as growers creating margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the pioneering EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential group of pollinators. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were facing extinction.
