The number of wild bee varieties in European nations confronting dying out has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers increasing for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in Europe are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe require insect pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the mainland and the only species of this genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but in the end run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are threatened by extreme wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, climate change is leading to the timberline to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decline in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. Let’s hope they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating insects which won’t reduce agricultural output – and could improve it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to tackle this threat. In collaboration with participating nations, the EU Commission has put in place an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the first EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinator group. Released in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
