The total of native bee species in European nations facing disappearance has over doubled in the last ten years, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly types at risk of extinction in European nations has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a ten years ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, wild bee populations are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the European continent and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by intense drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global heating is causing the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse northern grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout Europe because of all these factors,” said Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as farmers creating margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this risk. Together with member states, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the first European-wide study on hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
