The number of non-managed bee species in European nations confronting disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, while the count of threatened butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were facing extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to over sixty since the last study, performed over a decade past. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with risks mounting for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee types.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in the European continent are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of flowering plants in the European continent rely on insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which have an essential part in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the European continent and the only species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are imperilled by intense dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is leading to the tree line to move north by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these elements,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. We hope they can obtain the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease crop yields – and might boost it – such as growers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this risk. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the initial EU-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
