The number of non-managed bee species in European nations facing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the count of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the previous assessment, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterflies and vital native bee species.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Global heating is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all threatened butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe rely on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as critically endangered – the research category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but eventually exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are threatened by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with scrub taking over bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these elements,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can receive the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to tackle this threat. In collaboration with member states, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide observation system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the initial European-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in European nations were facing extinction.
