The count of native bee varieties in Europe confronting disappearance has over doubled in the last ten years, whereas the number of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of over 1900 were facing extinction in Europe.
The number of butterflies facing extinction in Europe has grown from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, performed 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterfly species and crucial wild bee species.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
As many as 90% of flowering plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the continent and the sole species of this genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the research category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but eventually run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global heating is resulting in the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly in European nations because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the drop in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and might boost it – such as growers establishing flower-rich margins around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this threat. Along with member states, the EU Commission has implemented an Europe-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with member states to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
