The number of wild bee species in Europe confronting disappearance has more than doubled in the last ten years, while the total of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was unveiled by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of 1,928 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has increased from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, performed over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – sustaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with threats increasing for butterfly species and essential native bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The division of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Fifty-two percent of all endangered butterflies in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a ten years ago.
Up to 90% of blooming plants in the European continent depend on animal pollination, according to the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, wild bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee unique to the European continent and the sole species of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly types that are only found on mountain tops are highly susceptible to global warming as they need to move uphill as their environments become hotter but in the end run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by intense wildfires and drought.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global heating is leading to the tree line to move north by tens of metres each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly in European nations because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, 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 the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which won’t reduce food production – and might boost it – such as farmers developing flower-rich margins around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this risk. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize application and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the initial Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Released in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in Europe were facing extinction.