The number of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting extinction has over doubled over the past decade, whereas the total of threatened butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has risen from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, performed over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterfly types and crucial non-managed bee species.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterfly types in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations require pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the mainland and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the research category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global warming as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly in the European continent because of all these factors,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce crop yields – and could improve it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this risk. Together 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 focus on implementation and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further essential group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
