The number of wild bee species in Europe experiencing dying out has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the number of at-risk butterfly species has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating insects was disclosed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has risen from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks mounting for butterfly types and crucial non-managed bee varieties.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the continuing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – about double the number as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of blooming plants in European nations rely on animal pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become warmer but eventually run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global heating is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly in European nations because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to turn around the decline in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, characterized the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to tackle this risk. Along with member states, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the pioneering Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another vital group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were facing extinction.
