The total of native bee varieties in European nations facing extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, while the total of threatened butterfly has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee types out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, performed over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food systems and our economic systems – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers increasing for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: 52% of all at-risk butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – approximately twice as many as a decade ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent require insect pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global heating as they must ascend higher as their habitats become more heated but in the end have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global warming is causing the tree line to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice to graze Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across Europe because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to turn around the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not decrease crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this threat. Along with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to focus on execution and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in Europe were at risk of extinction.
