A new assessment released by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, adds 100 European wild bee species to the list of those under threat. More than 20% of species in certain groups are now classified as at risk of extinction. The situation for wild butterflies is also deteriorating, with the number of threatened species increasing by 76% over the past decade.

This is the first Europe-wide IUCN Red List assessment since the early to mid-2010s. It evaluates the status of a wide range of European wildlife, including bees, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, freshwater fish, and others. The project is funded by the European Commission. 

The uncertain future of European wild pollinators 

New data shows that 172 out of 1,928 assessed wild bee species in Europe - around 10% - are now at risk of extinction. This is a dramatic increase from 2014, when 77 species fell into that category. The percentage of bee species classified as Data Deficient has dropped from 57% to 14% in the past decade which has allowed for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Professor Denis Michez, lead coordinator of the European wild bees assessment and WildPosh project coordinator, explains: 

"Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, especially on bees, which are very diverse in their number and variety of species. Sadly, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies, which comprise less than 1% of the existing species and are selected for their ability to produce honey or pollinate crops. If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples”. (IUCN, Mounting risks threaten survival of wild European pollinators press release, October 2025)

Butterflies are also in serious decline, with 65 of the 442 assessed species (15%) at risk of extinction. Species unique to Europe are very vulnerable, with 40% listed as threatened or near threatened. The Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni), a species once only found on Madeira, has now been declared extinct.

Lead factors for pollinator decline 

The widespread use of pesticides, including herbicides that reduce flower diversity, and nitrogen deposition from fertilisers, greatly affect wild pollinators.

Habitat loss also directly impacts pollinator survival. Many species depend on traditional rural landscapes, which are rapidly disappearing due to the intensification of agriculture and forestry. 

Climate change is a major factor. In Southern Europe, rising temperatures, droughts, and wildfires are destroying important butterfly habitats. In Alpine and Boreal regions, bogs and tundras are shrinking under changing climate conditions.

WildPosh protecting European wild pollinators  

WildPosh tries to understand and mitigate the impact of pesticides on wild pollinators. By studying pesticide exposure on different pollinator species such as bees, butterflies, and flies, the project aims to deliver the first continent-wide data on how agrochemicals affect pollinators. Through a combination of laboratory trials, field studies, and molecular analyses, WildPosh is developing new tools to assess risks and inform EU policies.

Find the IUCN press release here.