The total of wild bee types in European nations confronting disappearance has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the count of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the previous assessment, performed 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with risks mounting for butterfly species and essential wild bee types.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the persistent destruction or damage of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterflies in the European continent are imperilled by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in European nations depend on animal pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the mainland and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their habitats become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to move north by many meters each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice sheets to graze northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these factors,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to halt the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are involved. We hope they can obtain the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease crop yields – and could improve it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to tackle this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to prioritize application and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the pioneering Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinator group. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.
