The number of non-managed bee varieties in the European continent confronting extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the number of endangered butterfly species has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was revealed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The count of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with dangers growing for butterfly types and crucial native bee species.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the continuing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly types in Europe are endangered by the climate emergency – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as 90% of plants that flower in the European continent require animal pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, wild bee populations are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, known for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the mainland and the single type of this genus in European nations, is now assessed as severely threatened – the research category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but in the end exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the timberline to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with bushes invading wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice sheets to graze northern grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly in the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to halt the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are involved. We hope they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinating species which will not decrease crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this risk. Along with participating nations, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and collaboration with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
