The total of wild bee types in the European continent confronting disappearance has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the number of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating species was revealed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least 172 bee species out of 1,928 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly types facing extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the previous assessment, carried out 14 years ago. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats growing for butterfly species and vital non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also shown to be a primary risk: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in Europe are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of blooming plants in Europe rely on pollination by animals, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Sadly, native bee colonies are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many native plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become warmer but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among over forty percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to graze Arctic grasslands and keep them open. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across European nations because of all these reasons,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to halt the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will help them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers developing flower-rich margins around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Immediate and joint measures is necessary to address this risk. Along with participating nations, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an EU-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and partnership with member states to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another vital pollinating insect category. Published in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in the European continent were at risk of extinction.