The total of non-managed bee species in Europe experiencing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, whereas the total of threatened butterfly species has close to doubled.
This critical situation for essential pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least over 170 bee varieties out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The number of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural importance, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food systems and our economies – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and essential native bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a primary risk: Over half of all threatened butterflies in European nations are imperilled by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of plants that flower in the European continent rely on insect pollination, as per the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now assessed as severely threatened – the scientific category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they must ascend higher as their habitats become more heated but ultimately exhaust available space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic region, global heating is causing the timberline to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with scrub encroaching on marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast in Europe because of all these factors,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are engaged. Let’s hope they can receive the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, described the protection status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this risk. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial Europe-wide study on hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
