Hylaeus hilaris is a species of bee, also known by the common name hilaris yellow-faced bee.[2] It is endemic to Hawaii and known only from a single population.[2] In September 2016, along with six other Hawaiian Hylaeus species,[3] H. hilaris was listed for protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. This marked a first listing for any bee species in the US.[4]
| Hylaeus hilaris | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Colletidae |
| Genus: | Hylaeus |
| Species: | H. hilaris
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| Binomial name | |
| Hylaeus hilaris | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
editHylaeus hilaris is large relative to other coastal Hawaiian Hylaeus species. Males have an almost completely yellow face with other yellow markings on the body and wings of smoky coloring. Their metasoma is red. Females have some brown markings.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editHylaeus hilaris is now known only from a single population (of unknown size) in the coastal shrublands of the Moʻomomi Preserve on Molokai. Threats to the species include habitat degradation by nonnative animals and plants, predation by nonnative insects, fires and climate change.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Hylaeus hilaris". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved Oct 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Hylaeus hilaris Species Assessment" (PDF). Environmental Conservation Online System. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Jun 19, 2014. Retrieved Oct 11, 2016.
- ^ "Hawaiian yellow-faced bees". Xerces Society. Retrieved Oct 1, 2016.
- ^ Jones, Caleb (Sep 30, 2016). "Feds list 7 Hawaii bee species as endangered, a first in US". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved Oct 1, 2016.