The total of wild bee species in Europe confronting disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the total of endangered butterfly species has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinators was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least 172 bee types out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, performed over a decade past. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with risks growing for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the ongoing destruction or damage of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly 90% of flowering plants in the European continent depend on pollination by animals, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, wild bee colonies are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their habitats become warmer but in the end have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to move north by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these elements,” stated 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 understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. We hope they can obtain the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to focus on application and cooperation with member states to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
