The number of native bee species in European nations experiencing extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, while the total of threatened butterfly species has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was revealed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of nearly two thousand were facing extinction in Europe.
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in Europe has grown from 37 to sixty-five since the previous assessment, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our physical condition, our food supplies and our economic systems – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats increasing for butterfly types and vital wild bee species.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all threatened butterfly types in Europe are endangered by the climate emergency – approximately twice as many as a decade ago.
As many as nine out of ten of blooming plants in European nations depend on animal pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the continent and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now classified as critically at risk – the research category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their environments become warmer but in the end run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is leading to the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast throughout Europe because of all these factors,” stated Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to reverse the decline in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are involved. Let’s hope they can get the incentives that will support them on their way.”
As per 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 creating margins rich in flowers around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this threat. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and partnership with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in European nations were threatened with extinction.
