[Pollinator] Hawai'ian yellow-faced bees on verge of protection

[Matthew Shepherd]

This last couple of weeks has seen significant steps towards protection for
several bees in the U.S.



First, it was the positive 90-day finding on the rusty patched bumble
bee (*Bombus
affinis*).



But the latest news is that yesterday the FWS announced that they are
proposing “endangered” status for seven species of yellow-faced bees (genus
*Hylaeus*) from the Hawai‘ian Islands. Yellow-faced bees are the only
native bees in the islands and play an essential role in Hawai‘i’s
ecosystems. The Xerces Society submitted petitions for these seven species
six years ago. Assuming the FWS finalizes it’s proposed rule in the next
few weeks, these bees will become the first in the U.S. to gain federal
protection.



To read more about these bees (including the ESA petitions), go to
http://www.xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/



For more on yesterday’s FWS proposal:

Federal Register,
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-30/pdf/2015-24305.pdf

Press release, http://www.xerces.org/press/

Blog entry, http://www.xerces.org/blog/



In addition, there has been some media coverage about these bees. Here’s
one article from Reuters:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/01/us-usa-bees-hawaii-idUSKCN0RV37T20151001#

*U.S. proposes protections for Hawaiian bees threatened with extinction*

By Laura Zuckerman



It was a great way to close out September!



Matthew



________



*Matthew Shepherd*, Communications Director



*The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation     *Protecting the Life
that Sustains Us



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Tel: (503) 232-6639 ext. 110; Toll free: 1-855-232 6639 ext. 110; Cell:
(503) 807-1577

mdshepherd at xerces.org



The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international
nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of
invertebrates and their habitat. To join the Society, make a donation, or
read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.
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