The total of native bee types in the European continent facing extinction has increased twofold over the past decade, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was revealed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in Europe.
The count of butterflies facing extinction in the European continent has risen from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with risks growing for butterfly species and essential wild bee species.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category closest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they need to move uphill as their habitats become more heated but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, climate change is resulting in the forest boundary to move north by many meters each year, with scrub invading bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout Europe because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to halt the decline in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can receive the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as growers developing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to address this danger. In collaboration with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with participating nations to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further vital pollinator group. Released in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
