The count of wild bee varieties in the European continent facing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, while the number of threatened butterfly species has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly species at risk of extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with dangers growing for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in the European continent rely on pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, native bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the research category closest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, climate change is causing the tree line to move north by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these reasons,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the decline in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as farmers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this threat. Along with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to focus on implementation and collaboration with member countries to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.
