[Pollinator] Seven rare Hawaiian pollinators closer to protection under the Endangered Species Act

[Sarina Jepsen]

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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<http://www.xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/>>>

ABOUT THE XERCES SOCIETY
The Xerces Society <http://www.xerces.org/> 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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