The total of non-managed bee types in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, and the number of endangered butterfly has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of 1,928 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterflies threatened with extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the last study, carried out over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our health, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with dangers growing for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee types.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the persistent destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also shown to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a previous decade.
As many as nine out of ten of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, wild bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in aiding the pollination of peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the European continent and the single type of this biological genus in Europe, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by severe dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to move north by many meters each year, with underbrush invading wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to turn around the drop in pollinating species by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are interested. Let’s hope they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Martin Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, described the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to focus on application and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were threatened with extinction.
