I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
Since 2014, when the previous European Red List of bees was published, an entire decade has passed. In that time, so much has changed—our landscapes, agriculture, the climate… and unfortunately, the world of wild pollinators too.
Finally, in October 2025, followed by the full report release in February 2026, the updated Red List was published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
And I’ll say this honestly: this is one of those reports everyone should be paying attention to.
What is the Red List and why does it matter?
The Red List is much more than just a “list of endangered species.”
It is:
- a global system for assessing extinction risk,
- a key tool for scientists, policymakers, and conservationists,
- a foundation for environmental decision-making.
It is created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, together with hundreds of experts across the world.
There’s no single release date—updates happen whenever enough new data is available.
In practice, major groups like bees are reassessed every several years (or even decades).
The purpose is simple:
- to show the scale of biodiversity loss,
- to identify conservation priorities,
- to influence policy,
- and to raise awareness.
What has changed in the last 10 years?
This is where it becomes critical.
Back in 2014:
- 77 bee species were considered threatened
In the latest update:
- 172 species are now threatened with extinction! That’s more than double
Overall:
- 1,928 wild bee species were assessed in Europe
- about 10% are officially threatened
That tells us one thing clearly: the crisis is accelerating!
Which wild bees are most at risk?
What struck me most is that this isn’t about just a few rare species.
Entire groups are under pressure.
- over 20% of species in Europe are threatened
- these are key pollinators for both wild plants and crops
Specialist species
- bees that depend on specific plants or habitats
- often the first to disappear
Some species have already reached critically endangered status.
And this is important: it’s the less visible, wild species that are disappearing the fastest.
Why are wild bees declining? The report is very clear about the causes.
Intensive agriculture
- monocultures
- lack of flowering diversity
Habitat loss
- disappearing meadows
- urban expansion
- overly “tidy” landscapes
Pesticides
- especially harmful to bee nervous systems
Climate change
- droughts
- shifting seasons
- habitat loss in sensitive regions
And the key issue is: these pressures act together, not separately.
Why wild bees matter more than honey bees?
This is something I keep repeating—and I will keep repeating it.
The Western honey bee:
- is a managed, domesticated species
- is supported by humans
- is not at risk of extinction
Wild bees:
- provide a huge share of pollination
- are often more efficient for specific plants
- create resilient and diverse ecosystems
Without wild bees, ecosystems simply don’t function properly.
They:
- pollinate the majority of wild plants
- sustain biodiversity
- support entire food webs
It’s estimated that: 4 out of 5 plant species depend on animal pollinators
What can we actually do?
We don’t need grand gestures—we need a shift in mindset.
Let nature be a little wild
- mow less
- allow “messy” spaces
Plant for pollinators
- native species
- continuous blooming through the season
Reduce chemicals
- in gardens
- in public spaces
Create habitats
- bare soil
- dead wood
- plant stems
And most importantly—change the narrative!
The biggest issue isn’t lack of knowledge. It’s misunderstanding.
People say “save the bees”— but they usually mean honey bees.
The reality is:
honey bees don’t need saving
wild bees are disappearing quietly
And this new Red List makes that impossible to ignore.
This isn’t just a scientific report. It’s a warning!
So far no wild bee species in Europe has been confirmed extinct, but we are getting dangerously close to that point.
And that’s why this moment matters.
Where to find the full Red List
You can explore the full database here: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Here you can find European Red List of Bees.
