The total of native bee types in the European continent confronting extinction has over doubled over the past decade, while the count of at-risk butterfly species has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has grown from 37 to over sixty since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee types.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the continuing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the danger of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all endangered butterflies in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – about double the number as a decade ago.
As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent rely on insect pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the continent and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their habitats become hotter but eventually have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are threatened by intense wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the timberline to move north by many meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these elements,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to turn around the decrease in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are involved. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not lower crop yields – and could improve it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, characterized the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to address this danger. Together with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has established an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and cooperation with participating nations to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in Europe were threatened with extinction.
