The count of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the number of endangered butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was unveiled by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has grown from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterflies and essential native bee varieties.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a significant danger: 52% of all threatened butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.
As many as 90% of blooming plants in the European continent require animal pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the continent and the sole species of this biological genus in Europe, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the research category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are endangered by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global heating is leading to the tree line to shift northward by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these reasons,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. We hope they can receive the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to confront this danger. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to prioritize application and cooperation with member states to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first EU-wide study on hoverflies, an additional essential group of pollinators. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
