The count of native bee varieties in Europe experiencing disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the count of at-risk butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least over 170 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to over sixty since the last study, performed 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural value, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food systems and our economies – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and vital wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in the European continent are imperilled by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a decade ago.
As many as nine out of ten of blooming plants in Europe rely on insect pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in European nations, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but in the end exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these elements,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to halt the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which won’t reduce food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating flower-rich margins around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to confront this threat. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further vital pollinator group. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were at risk of extinction.
