The number of non-managed bee varieties in European nations experiencing disappearance has over doubled over the past decade, while the total of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly species threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks mounting for butterflies and vital native bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations rely on insect pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which have an essential part in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the continent and the sole species of this genus in European nations, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global heating is causing the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to browse Arctic grasslands and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly across the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are interested. Let’s hope they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to address this threat. Along with member countries, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member countries to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Released in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
