The total of wild bee species in European nations experiencing dying out has increased twofold in the last ten years, while the count of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has grown from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterflies and vital native bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the continuing harm or degradation of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also shown to be a major threat: 52% of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of blooming plants in Europe depend on insect pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the mainland and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific classification closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become warmer but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to turn around the drop in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this threat. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, another crucial group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
