The total of wild bee species in the European continent facing disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the total of at-risk butterfly has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinators 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 over 1900 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in European nations has risen from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food systems and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers growing for butterfly species and crucial non-managed bee types.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, known for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but eventually have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is resulting in the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest environment for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these elements,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to confront this threat. Together with member states, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
