The count of non-managed bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has more than doubled over the past decade, while the total of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating insects was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, performed 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterflies and essential non-managed bee types.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in Europe are endangered by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in European nations rely on insect pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the mainland and the only species of this genus group in European nations, is now assessed as critically endangered – the research category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but eventually exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by severe dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is resulting in the timberline to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these reasons,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are involved. We hope they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and could improve it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this risk. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize execution and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the first Europe-wide study on hoverflies, a further vital pollinator group. Released in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.
