The count of non-managed bee varieties in European nations experiencing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, while the total of endangered butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterflies facing extinction in European nations has increased from 37 to 65 since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinators like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with threats increasing for butterfly species and crucial wild bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in European nations are endangered by the climate change crisis – about twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations require pollination by animals, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations 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 bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the mainland and the only species of this genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are endangered by intense drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the timberline to move north by many meters each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to feed on Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this threat. Together with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
