The number of wild bee varieties in European nations facing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, and the total of threatened butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating insects was disclosed by scientific assessments for the IUCN red list, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to 65 since the previous assessment, carried out a decade and a half ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food supplies and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the continuing harm or degradation of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly 90% of plants that flower in the European continent require animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the single type of this biological genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the research category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their habitats become more heated but ultimately run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by intense drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global heating is leading to the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with underbrush taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest living space for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly in Europe because of all these factors,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and could improve it – such as farmers creating bloom-filled edges around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. Along with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to focus on application and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the first European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in European nations were at risk of extinction.
