Endangered Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee Conservation > Research

<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span>Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee Conservation

In order to develop a captive rearing program and enhance the existing coastal strand habitat to better support increased populations, I am carefully studying the nest architecture and developmental stages of successful populations of H. anthracinus. I am also evaluating the pests, pathogens, and non-native bees, which have recently invaded the coastal strand habitat on which H. anthracinus depend. I have designed an artificial nest system that allows us to observe yellow-faced bee nests through translucent tubing. The artificial nest systems are equipped with non-toxic ant barriers providing an ant-excluded nesting habitat for these endangered pollinators. This conservation tool also gives us the opportunity to evaluate nest health in the field, record life history data, and potentially will serve as a source for translocation and captive rearing stock.

Nest Dissections

The most common Hawaiian yellow-faced bee here on Oahu is Hylaeus anthracinus. Studying this bee in its natural habitat, we confirmed that the females nest in hollow stems of some coastal plants, such as Naupaka and Tree Heliotrope. We also found females nesting in pre-existing holes in coral rubble. The nests all had similar dimensions for the length and inside diameter. At first, we needed to dissect the nest to study nest architecture, health and success. Any eggs, larva or pupa found in the nests were transferred with their pollen into plastic cups (the type used for rearing honey bee queens in the lab) and observed throughout their development. When they successfully developed into adults, they were returned to the habitats from where the nests were collected.

Yellow-faced Bee Research

Nest Dissections