The count of native bee species in Europe facing dying out has increased twofold over the past decade, while the count of threatened butterfly species has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was revealed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The count of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has increased from 37 to sixty-five since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our health, our food systems and our economies – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with dangers growing for butterfly species and essential native bee varieties.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – about twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of flowering plants in European nations require animal pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the mainland and the sole species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to global warming as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these reasons,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease crop yields – and might boost it – such as growers establishing bloom-filled edges around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this danger. Along with member countries, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Published in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were threatened with extinction.
