The total of wild bee species in European nations facing disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinating insects was unveiled by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats increasing for butterfly species and crucial wild bee varieties.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the ongoing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all endangered butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – about twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in Europe require pollination by animals, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, native bee populations are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee types, recognized for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the mainland and the only species of this biological genus in European nations, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to climate change as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but in the end have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice to graze Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these elements,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this threat. Along with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
