The total of wild bee species in European nations experiencing extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of endangered butterfly has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinators was unveiled by research studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee species out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The number of butterflies facing extinction in European nations has risen from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, carried out over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with dangers growing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the risk of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly double the number as a previous decade.
Nearly nine out of ten of blooming plants in European nations depend on insect pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many wild plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in 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.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by severe drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes taking over bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no more cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these reasons,” stated Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the decrease in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not decrease crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to confront this risk. In collaboration with member states, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to focus on application and cooperation with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the pioneering Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were at risk of extinction.
