For immediate release
June 16, 2010
Contact:
Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; 503-232-6639
SEVEN RARE HAWAIIAN POLLINATORS CLOSER TO PROTECTION UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Portland, OR, Responding to a petition from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today issued a positive 90-day finding for seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, determining that protection under the Endangered Species Act may be warranted and initiating a status review for the species.
Although a scientist in the early 1900s called Hawaiian yellow-faced bees “almost the most ubiquitous of any Hawaiian insects,” more recent surveys by biologist Karl Magnacca have demonstrated that seven species – Hylaeus anthracinus, Hylaeus longiceps, Hylaeus assimulans, Hylaeus facilis, Hylaeus hilaris, Hylaeus kuakea and Hylaeus mana —are in imminent danger of going extinct.
“We are pleased that the Service has recognized the many threats that these rare bees face, from habitat destruction to invasive species,” said Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “We believe the Service’s review will show that these species meet the criteria for listing under the Endangered Species Act.”
Despite their small size, Hawaiian yellow-faced bees are extremely important. They are critical pollinators of many endangered native Hawaiian plants and the decline of these bees could lead to the extinction of endangered plants. Recognizing the endangerment of numerous native Hawaiian plant species, the Service has granted Endangered Species Act protection to over 300 Hawaiian plants. Protection of these imperiled pollinators will benefit both the bees and the rare plants that they pollinate.
“Pollinators are keystone species in many ecosystems,” said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “But these Hawaiian yellow-faced bees are likely even more important since many Hawaiian native plant species are not well adapted to pollination by non-native pollinators.”
The most notable threats to Hawaiian yellow-faced bees include: loss of habitat due to development (especially in coastal areas), fire, the impact of feral ungulates such as pigs, predation by invasive ants, and the loss of native vegetation to invasive plant species. Conservation of these important pollinators will require the active management of natural areas where populations are known to exist.
Hawaiian yellow-faced bees were historically found on all of the Hawaiian Islands and in a variety of habitats, including coasts, dry forests and shrublands, mesic and wet forests, and subalpine shrublands. The conservation of these imperiled Hawaiian yellow face bees will require the active control and management of natural areas where populations are known to exist.
Read more about Hawaiian yellow-faced bees >>
ABOUT THE XERCES SOCIETY
The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For over three decades, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate conservation, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs.
PHOTO CREDIT
Hawaiian yellow-faced bee (Hylaeus sp.) pollinating the plant Astelia by Karl Magnacca.
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