The total of non-managed bee types in the European continent facing dying out has more than doubled over the past decade, and the number of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which established that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were facing extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to over sixty since the last study, performed over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also shown to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are imperilled by the climate change crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in European nations require pollination by animals, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the single type of this genus in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but eventually have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by intense dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is causing the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly in Europe because of all these elements,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are interested. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating species which won’t reduce crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers developing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. Together with participating nations, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
