The number of native bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the total of at-risk butterfly types has close to doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of 1,928 were facing extinction in Europe.
The count of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (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 essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our financial structures – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterflies and crucial native bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all at-risk butterfly types in Europe are threatened by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as 90% of plants that flower in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the mainland and the single type of this genus group in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they must ascend higher as their environments become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by intense wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is resulting in the timberline to move north by tens of metres each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no more cross the ice to feed on northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly throughout Europe because of all these reasons,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to turn around the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers establishing flower-rich margins around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is needed to tackle this threat. Along with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another crucial pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
