The number of native bee species in European nations experiencing disappearance has over doubled over the past decade, and the number of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinators was unveiled by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which established that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in European nations.
The total of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has risen from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with threats increasing for butterflies and vital wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the risk of local extinctions.
Global heating is also revealed to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are endangered by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in Europe depend on pollination by animals, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many native plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, recognized 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 group in European nations, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but in the end have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly across the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, 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 involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to confront this threat. Along with member countries, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with participating nations to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first European-wide study on hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
