The count of non-managed bee species in Europe facing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the count of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were facing extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has risen from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee types.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the persistent destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the risk of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all threatened butterfly species in Europe are imperilled by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, recognized for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the mainland and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by intense wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is causing the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can not anymore cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly in Europe because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to turn around the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. We hope they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not lower agricultural output – and might boost it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this danger. In collaboration with participating nations, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies is subsequent to the first EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further essential group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in Europe were threatened with extinction.
