The total of wild bee species in European nations experiencing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for vital 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 types out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The number of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterfly species and crucial non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
Up to ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe depend on insect pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus in Europe, 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 peaks are highly susceptible to global warming as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are threatened by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global warming is causing the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these reasons,” said Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to confront this threat. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with member states to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.
