The count of non-managed bee varieties in European nations experiencing extinction has over doubled in the last ten years, whereas the number of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was disclosed by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee types out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The number of butterflies facing extinction in Europe has grown from 37 to over sixty since the previous assessment, conducted 14 years ago. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
In addition to their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our financial structures – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” said the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats growing for butterfly types and essential native bee varieties.”
The causes of the rapid recent declines are the persistent harm or degradation of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: Over half of all at-risk butterfly types in the European continent are endangered by the climate crisis – approximately twice as many as a previous decade.
Nearly ninety percent of plants that flower in the European continent depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, native bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many native 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 bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, recognized for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee found only in the mainland and the single type of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to global warming as they must ascend higher as their habitats become warmer but ultimately run out of space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are threatened by severe drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, climate change is causing the timberline to shift northward by many meters each year, with scrub taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean caribou can no more cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and maintain them clear. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast across Europe because of all these reasons,” stated one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member states have to turn around the decline in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinating insects which will not lower crop yields – and may enhance it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, characterized the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to address this risk. In collaboration with member states, the Commission of the European Union has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and collaboration with member states to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The release of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the first Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential pollinating insect category. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly types in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
