The count of native bee species in Europe facing dying out has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the number of threatened butterfly has close to doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterflies facing extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterflies and crucial wild bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of local extinctions.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: 52% of all threatened butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe require animal pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they need to move uphill as their environments become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is resulting in the timberline to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these elements,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating species which won’t reduce food production – and could improve it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has put in place an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
