The total of native bee types in the European continent facing extinction has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the count of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which established 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 at risk of extinction in the European continent has grown from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, conducted a decade and a half ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food systems and our economies – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterflies and vital wild bee species.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all at-risk butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – about twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of plants that flower in European nations depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus in European nations, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global warming as they must ascend higher as their habitats become hotter but in the end run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global heating is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to browse Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across Europe because of all these factors,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are engaged. We hope they can get the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to confront this risk. Along with member states, the EU Commission has put in place an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with member states to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide study on hoverflies, an additional essential group of pollinators. Released in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
