The count of non-managed bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has increased from over thirty-five to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with risks mounting for butterflies and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also shown to be a major threat: 52% of all at-risk butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
Up to nine out of ten of plants that flower in Europe depend on insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many native plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the mainland and the single type of this genus in European nations, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter but ultimately exhaust available space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are endangered by severe drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global heating is resulting in the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast throughout European nations because of all these factors,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the drop in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, described the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this risk. In collaboration with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another essential pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
