The count of non-managed bee varieties in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the total of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from 37 to over sixty since the last study, performed 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated 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 types.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees vanish, many native plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the continent and the sole species of this genus in European nations, is now evaluated as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but in the end have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are threatened by extreme dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global warming is causing the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice sheets to graze northern grasslands and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these factors,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to halt the decrease in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to address this threat. Along with participating nations, the EU Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
