The number of native bee varieties in Europe facing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee types out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food systems and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats increasing for butterfly species and essential wild bee species.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent harm or degradation of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators greatly increases the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: Over half of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately double the number as a previous decade.
As many as ninety percent of flowering plants in the European continent require insect pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties 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 species exclusive to the continent and the only species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to global warming as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become hotter but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these reasons,” stated Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
According to Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which won’t reduce crop yields – and might boost it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. Along with member states, the European Commission has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to focus on execution and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in European nations were threatened with extinction.
