[Pollinator] Invasive wasps threaten Hawaii's coral trees

[Kimberly Winter]

While ~850 species of wasps are essential for pollination of figs worldwide, 
an invasive wasp is threatening extinction of Hawaii's endemic coral trees 
(Erythrina):

http://dynamics.org/Altenberg/PROJECTS/MAUI/INVASIVES/GALL_WASP/1759.pdf

This beautiful plant is pollinated by perching birds and hummingbirds 
(http://waynesword.palomar.edu/coraltr1.htm), so it is likely to be an 
important source of nectar for wildlife.

Sadly, the negative ecological consequences of the wasp invader may cause a 
domino effect for other species in the Hawaiian food web.

~Kim

Kimberly Winter, Ph.D.
Coordinator, North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
E-mail: NAPPCoordinator at hotmail.com
Internet: www.nappc.org
Ph: (301) 219-7030

Mailing Address:
0105"B" Cole Student Activities Bldg
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-1026