The number of non-managed bee varieties in the European continent experiencing disappearance has more than doubled in the last ten years, whereas the number of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least 172 bee varieties out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in the European continent has grown from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, conducted 14 years ago. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented Grethel Aguilar. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with risks growing for butterfly species and vital native bee varieties.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the threat of local extinctions.
Climate change is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterflies in the European continent are imperilled by the climate change crisis – approximately twofold the amount as a ten years ago.
As many as nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent depend on insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
Fifteen species of bumblebees, which play a crucial role in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become more heated but in the end have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by tens of metres each year, with underbrush encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to feed on northern grasslands and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are at risk of extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is vanishing rapidly throughout European nations because of all these elements,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are landowners who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating insects which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as growers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to address this danger. Along with participating nations, the European Commission has implemented an European Union-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our progress. Now, we need to concentrate on implementation and partnership with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another crucial pollinator group. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were threatened with extinction.
