The number of wild bee types in European nations facing disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the count of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was disclosed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The count of butterfly types threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from 37 to over sixty since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food chains and our economies – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and crucial native bee species.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the ongoing destruction or damage of living environments caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the danger of local extinctions.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in the European continent are endangered by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they must ascend higher as their habitats become more heated but in the end run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of European endemics (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by intense dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across the European continent because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the decrease in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to confront this danger. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on application and cooperation with participating nations to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.
