The count of non-managed bee types in the European continent experiencing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, whereas the count of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly species facing extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to over sixty since the last study, performed over a decade past. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food chains and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers increasing for butterflies and crucial non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of plants that flower in the European continent rely on pollination by animals, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, native bee groups are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the continent and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are especially at risk to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become warmer but eventually exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global warming is resulting in the tree line to move north by tens of metres each year, with scrub invading wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no longer 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 Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these reasons,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to halt the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. We hope they can obtain the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating insects which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers creating margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to confront this danger. Along with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and collaboration with participating nations to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were facing extinction.
