The total of non-managed bee types in Europe experiencing disappearance has over 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 studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The count of butterflies facing extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their beauty and cultural importance, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” said the IUCN director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks increasing for butterflies and vital non-managed bee species.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly types in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – about twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, famous for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the continent and the only species of this genus in European nations, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their environments become more heated but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to move north by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout the European continent because of all these factors,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as growers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this danger. Along with participating nations, the European Commission has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on application and collaboration with participating nations to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, an additional essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were at risk of extinction.
