The count of native bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the count of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least over 170 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks increasing for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – about twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the continent and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but ultimately exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, 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, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by intense drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub encroaching on marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice to browse northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these elements,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to halt the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can obtain the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with member states to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in European nations were threatened with extinction.
