The total of non-managed bee types in the European continent experiencing disappearance has over doubled over the past decade, whereas the total of endangered butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with risks increasing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the persistent harm or degradation of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate change crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations rely on pollination by animals, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the continent and the sole species of this genus in the European continent, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they have to climb upward as their environments become more heated but in the end have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global heating is causing the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with bushes taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. Let’s hope they can obtain the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as growers developing flower-rich margins around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this threat. Together with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial EU-wide study on hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
