The number of non-managed bee varieties in Europe experiencing disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for vital 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 types out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has risen from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the earlier research, performed over a decade past. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterfly types and crucial wild bee species.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a significant danger: 52% of all at-risk butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as nine out of ten of blooming plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the tree line to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can not anymore cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to turn around the decrease in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are interested. Let’s hope they can get the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not lower food production – and may enhance it – such as growers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this danger. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on application and cooperation with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering European-wide study on hoverflies, an additional crucial group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
