The count of native bee types in Europe facing dying out has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were facing extinction in Europe.
The count of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from over thirty-five to 65 since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food systems and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterflies and essential native bee types.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the ongoing harm or degradation of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: 52% of all endangered butterfly species in European nations are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a previous decade.
Nearly 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed colonies,” he said. “If native bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for pollinating trees such as willows along with red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the mainland and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to climate change as they need to move uphill as their habitats become warmer but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are endangered by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global warming is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with scrub taking over marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly in the European continent because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinators which will not decrease food production – and may enhance it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to confront this risk. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and cooperation with member states to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the first European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
