The total of wild bee varieties in the European continent experiencing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of at-risk butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterflies facing extinction in the European continent has increased from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their beauty and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterfly types and vital wild bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the persistent harm or degradation of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterflies in Europe are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations depend on insect pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the continent and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” said Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decline in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
According to Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and cooperation with member states to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the first Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
