The total of wild bee types in European nations facing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, and the total of at-risk butterfly has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the last study, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food chains and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – about double the number as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in European nations depend on insect pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, 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 willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global warming as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by intense drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes invading bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across European nations because of all these reasons,” stated 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 countries have to halt the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are involved. Let’s hope they can obtain the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to confront this risk. Along with member states, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinators 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 pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
