The total of non-managed bee types in European nations facing extinction has more than doubled over the past decade, whereas the total of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was disclosed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has increased from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, performed a decade and a half ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food systems and our financial structures – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with threats mounting for butterfly species and vital wild bee species.”
The reasons of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: 52% of all at-risk butterfly types in Europe are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately twice as many as a ten years ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the research category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic region, global heating is resulting in the tree line to move north by many meters each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the frozen water to browse northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these reasons,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing 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 decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are involved. Let’s hope they can obtain the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinating insects which will not decrease food production – and might boost it – such as farmers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, described the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this danger. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and collaboration with member states to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first European-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional essential pollinator group. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
