The number of native bee types in European nations experiencing extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the number of endangered butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee types out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” said the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterfly types and vital native bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a decade ago.
As many as nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the continent and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but ultimately exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global warming is causing the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to graze Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these factors,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations 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 interested. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as farmers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this threat. Along with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the pioneering European-wide study on hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were at risk of extinction.
