The count of non-managed bee species in Europe confronting disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of endangered butterfly has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least over 170 bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from over thirty-five to over sixty since the last study, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and essential native bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also revealed to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterflies in the European continent are endangered by the climate crisis – about twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in the European continent depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, known for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain tops are especially at risk to climate change as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but eventually run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of European endemics (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice to graze Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly in Europe because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are involved. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not decrease agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers developing flower-rich margins around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to tackle this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to focus on implementation and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were at risk of extinction.
