The total of non-managed bee species in the European continent facing dying out has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the count of endangered butterfly has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating insects was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least 172 bee types out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks growing for butterfly types and essential native bee varieties.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are imperilled by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in European nations rely on animal pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now assessed as severely threatened – the research category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become hotter but in the end have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is causing the tree line to move north by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to graze northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this threat. Together with participating nations, the EU Commission has put in place an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.
