The total of wild bee types in Europe experiencing dying out has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly species has close to doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinators was revealed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has risen from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, performed 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with dangers growing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate change crisis – about twice as many as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in Europe require animal pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the European continent and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global warming as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but eventually have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global heating is causing the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast throughout Europe because of all these reasons,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to halt the decline in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease agricultural output – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this threat. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has implemented an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with participating nations to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
