The count of wild bee species in the European continent experiencing extinction has over doubled in the last ten years, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinators was revealed by scientific assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The count of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, performed 14 years ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with threats increasing for butterflies and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the risk of local extinctions.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in Europe require animal pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are imperilled by intense drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these elements,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to turn around the drop in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinators which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to address this threat. Along with member countries, the European Commission has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinator group. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
