The count of native bee types in European nations facing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the total of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with risks increasing for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent harm or degradation of living environments caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a significant danger: 52% of all threatened butterfly species in the European continent are imperilled by the climate change crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in the European continent require insect pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native 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 flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the continent and the single type of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global heating as they must ascend higher as their environments become hotter but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the forest boundary to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with scrub invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the decline in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are involved. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this danger. In collaboration with member countries, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the pioneering European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.
