The count of wild bee types in the European continent facing disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, and the count of endangered butterfly has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in European nations has risen from 37 to sixty-five since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating insects like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food systems and our financial structures – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with risks growing for butterfly types and vital non-managed bee species.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and abandoned land, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of environments suitable for pollinators greatly increases the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also revealed to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in European nations depend on insect pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the continent and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are only found on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, climate change is resulting in the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with scrub encroaching on bog and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice sheets to graze Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these factors,” remarked one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many individuals are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to halt the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as growers creating margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to address 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 European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and partnership with participating nations to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were facing extinction.
