The count of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the count of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and vital native bee species.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the continuing harm or degradation of living environments caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly species in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in Europe depend on pollination by animals, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but ultimately exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is causing the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush taking over bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to feed on Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast throughout European nations because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to turn around the decline in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are interested. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, characterized the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to address this risk. Together with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member countries to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, an additional essential pollinator group. Released in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
