The total of native bee varieties in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, and the number of at-risk butterfly has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, performed over a decade past. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers increasing for butterflies and essential non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also revealed to be a significant danger: 52% of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about double the number as a ten years ago.
Up to nine out of ten of flowering plants in European nations require animal pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global warming as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice sheets to browse northern grasslands and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the decline in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to confront this danger. In collaboration with member states, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the initial European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinator group. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
