The count of native bee types in European nations facing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the number of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating insects was unveiled by research studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of 1,928 were facing extinction in European nations.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has grown from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, performed over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks mounting for butterfly species and crucial native bee types.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in European nations rely on pollination by animals, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become warmer but eventually have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, climate change is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest environment for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly across European nations because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to halt the decrease in pollinating species by 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 motivations that will assist them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to confront this danger. Along with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and cooperation with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
