The count of non-managed bee types in Europe experiencing disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, and the count of at-risk butterfly has close to doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least 172 bee types out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in European nations has risen from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, performed over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and essential wild bee varieties.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in Europe require animal pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the continent and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are especially at risk to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes encroaching on bog and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these factors,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. We hope they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers establishing margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to address this threat. Together with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the initial EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.
