Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on Five Petitions To List Seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees as Endangered, 55170-55203 [2011-22433]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55170-55203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22433]



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Vol. 76

Tuesday,

No. 172

September 6, 2011

Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 17





Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on Five 
Petitions To List Seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees as 
Endangered; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 76 , No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0012; MO 92210-0-008]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding 
on Five Petitions To List Seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees 
as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition finding.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 
12-month finding on five petitions to list seven species of Hawaiian 
yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus anthracinus, H. assimulans, H. facilis, H. 
hilaris, H. kuakea, H. longiceps, and H. mana) as endangered and to 
designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). After review of all available scientific and commercial 
information, we find that listing these seven species of Hawaiian 
yellow-faced bees is warranted. Currently, however, listing these seven 
species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees is precluded by higher priority 
actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and 
Plants. Upon publication of this 12-month petition finding, we will add 
these seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees to our candidate 
species list. We will develop a proposed rule to list these seven 
species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees as our priorities allow. We will 
make any determinations on critical habitat during development of the 
proposed listing rule. In any interim period we will address the status 
of the candidate taxa through our annual Candidate Notice of Review 
(CNOR).

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on September 6, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: This finding is available on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket Number FWS-R1-ES-2010-0012. Supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this finding is available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, HI 96850. Please submit 
any new information, materials, comments, or questions concerning this 
finding to the above street address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor, 
Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); by telephone 
at 808-792-9400; or by facsimile at 808-792-9581. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TTD) please call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires 
that, for any petition to revise the Federal Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants that contains substantial scientific or 
commercial information that listing a species may be warranted, we make 
a finding within 12 months of the date of receipt of the petition. In 
this finding, we determine whether the petitioned action is: (a) Not 
warranted, (b) warranted, or (c) warranted, but immediate proposal of a 
regulation implementing the petitioned action is precluded by other 
pending proposals to determine whether species are endangered or 
threatened, and expeditious progress is being made to add or remove 
qualified species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants. Section 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that we 
treat a petition for which the requested action is found to be 
warranted but precluded as though resubmitted on the date of such 
finding, that is, requiring a subsequent finding to be made within 12 
months. We must publish these 12-month findings in the Federal 
Register.

Previous Federal Actions

    On March 23, 2009, we received five petitions dated March 23, 2009, 
from Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society, 
requesting that seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees be listed 
as endangered under the Act and critical habitat be designated.
    Each petition contained information regarding the species' taxonomy 
and ecology, historical and current distribution, present status, and 
current and potential threats. We acknowledged the receipt of the 
petitions in a letter to Mr. Black, dated May 8, 2009. In that letter 
we also stated that issuing an emergency regulation temporarily listing 
the species under section 4(b)(7) of the Act was not warranted at that 
time. We published the 90-day finding in the Federal Register on June 
16, 2010 (75 FR 34077). This notice constitutes the 12-month finding on 
the March 23, 2009, petitions to list the seven species of Hawaiian 
yellow-faced bees as endangered.

Species Information

Overview of the Genus Hylaeus
    The seven species of bees described in this finding belong to the 
genus Hylaeus. Hylaeus is a large, globally distributed genus comprised 
of over 500 species worldwide. In the Hawaiian Islands, the genus 
Hylaeus is widespread and very diverse, with 60 native species, 
including 20 endemic to single islands (Magnacca 2007a, p. 174). All 60 
Hawaiian species are in the subgenus Nesoprosopis (Magnacca and 
Danforth 2006, p. 393). The Hawaiian Hylaeus genus belongs to the 
Colletidae family of bees, also known as plasterer bees due to their 
habit of lining their nests with salival secretions. The family is 
comprised of over 2,000 species, all of which are solitary nesting 
(unlike social wasps and bees), although a few do nest in close 
vicinity to each other.
    The species of Hylaeus are commonly known as yellow-faced bees or 
masked bees for their yellow-to-white facial markings. All of the 
Hylaeus species roughly resemble small wasps in appearance, due to 
their slender bodies and their seeming lack of setae (sensory hairs). 
However, Hylaeus bees have plumose (branched) hairs on the body that 
are longest on the sides of the thorax. To a discerning eye, it is 
these plumose setae that readily distinguish them from wasps (Michener 
2000, p. 55).
    A great deal of our knowledge on Hawaiian Hylaeus bees is based 
upon surveys by Robert Cyril Layton Perkins, a distinguished British 
entomologist and naturalist renowned for his pioneering work on the 
insects of the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the Hymenoptera 
(sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants), in the early 20th Century. His 
surveys were conducted between 1892 and 1906, and form the basis for 
most of the historical records of Hylaeus in the Hawaiian Islands. 
According to Perkins, Hylaeus species were ``almost the most ubiquitous 
of any Hawaiian insects'' (Perkins 1913, p. lxxxi). However, there are 
about 90 years between Perkins' surveys and the most recent surveys 
conducted in the late 1990s for Hylaeus bees in the Hawaiian Islands.
    Surveys in more recent years (1998-2010) for Hylaeus spp. in the 
Hawaiian Islands have largely involved targeted collecting on specific 
flowering plants (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-233; Magnacca in 
litt. 2011, p. 5), rather than survey methods such as pan trapping or 
Pollard walks (see below). While this means the numbers of individuals 
and species observed are not strictly quantifiable by effort, the 
probability of collecting species actually present is

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higher (Magnacca in litt. 2011, p. 5). Because the number and diversity 
of Hylaeus spp. tend to be locally concentrated rather than widely 
distributed, randomized and more quantifiable surveys such as pan 
trapping and Pollard walks are actually less effective means of 
locating Hylaeus spp. (Magnacca in litt. 2011, p. 5). Pan trapping 
involves the use of shallow pans of fluid, and relies on the organism 
falling or flying into the fluid preservative. Pollard walks involve 
observers walking along a fixed transect route and recording the 
insects observed.
    The recent Hylaeus spp. survey efforts are not easily comparable to 
Perkins' collections, which are considered now to have been conducted 
opportunistically. For example, Perkins collected higher numbers of 
individuals and species in certain areas, including coastal areas that 
were much less disturbed at the time, and some species, such as H. 
facilis, were formerly very common but have almost entirely disappeared 
(Magnacca in litt. 2011, p. 5).
Life History of Genus Hylaeus
    The following discussion includes all Hawaiian Hylaeus species, and 
specific information about the seven petitioned Hylaeus species.
    Hawaiian Hylaeus species are grouped within two categories: Ground-
nesting species that require relatively dry conditions, and wood-
nesting species that are often found within wetter areas (Zimmerman 
1972, p. 533; Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 11). Nests of Hylaeus species 
are usually constructed opportunistically within dead twigs or plant 
stems, or other similarly small natural cavities under bark or rocks 
(i.e., they seek out existing cavities that they suit to their own 
needs). This is unlike the nests of many other bee species, which are 
purposefully excavated or constructed underground. Like other Hylaeus, 
Hawaiian Hylaeus lack strong mandibles and other adaptations for 
digging and often use nest burrows abandoned by other insect species 
(Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 9). The female Hylaeus bee lays eggs in 
brood cells she constructs in the nest and lines with a self-secreted, 
cellophane-like material. Prior to sealing the nest, the female 
provides her young with a mass of semiliquid nectar and pollen left 
alongside her eggs. Upon hatching, the grub-like larvae eat the 
provisions left for them, pupate, and eventually emerge as adults 
(Michener 2000, p. 24). The adult male and female bees feed upon flower 
nectar for nourishment. Many species, including the Hawaiian Hylaeus, 
lack an external structure for carrying pollen, called a scopa, and 
instead internally transport collected pollen, often mixed with nectar, 
within their crop (stomach).
    Recent studies of visitation records of Hawaiian Hylaeus bees to 
native flowers (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 11) and pollination studies 
of native plants (Sakai et al. 1995, pp. 2,524-2,528; Cox and Elmqvist 
2000, p. 1,238; Sahli et al. 2008, p. 1) have demonstrated Hawaiian 
Hylaeus species almost exclusively visit native plants to collect 
nectar and pollen, pollinating those plants in the process. Hylaeus 
bees are very rarely found visiting nonnative plants for nectar and 
pollen (Magnacca 2007a, pp. 186, 188), and are almost completely absent 
from habitats dominated by nonnative plant species (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, p. 11). Sahli et al. (2008, p. 1) quantified pollinator 
visitation rates to all of the flowering plant species in communities 
on a Hawaiian lava flow dating from 1855 to understand how pollination 
webs and the integration of native and nonnative species changes with 
elevation. In that study, eight flowering plants were observed at six 
sites, which ranged in elevation from approximately 2,900 to 7,900 feet 
(ft) (approximately 880 to 2,400 meters (m)). The study also found the 
proportion of native pollinators changed along the elevation gradient; 
at least 40 to 50 percent of visits were from nonnative pollinators at 
low elevation, as opposed to 4 to 20 percent of visits by nonnative 
pollinators at mid to high elevations. Hylaeus bees were less abundant 
at lower elevations, and there were lower visitation rates of any 
pollinators to native plants at lower elevations, which suggest Hylaeus 
may not be easily replaceable by nonnative pollinators (Sahli et al. 
2008, p. 1).
    For some of the seven Hawaiian yellow-faced bees addressed in this 
finding, we have information about the specific host plants they visit 
for nectar and pollen. For some species, we have also identified 
primary host plants visited (see description of the species where 
noted). However, for others, we lack detailed information on the 
specific host plants visited for foraging. Nonetheless, researchers 
believe native plants both endemic and indigenous to the Hawaiian 
Islands are essential to the survival of the Hylaeus species (Hopper et 
al. 1996, pp. 8-9; Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229; Magnacca 2007a, 
pp. 185-186).
Hawaiian Island Ecosystems
    The five Hawaiian Island ecosystems that support the seven Hawaiian 
yellow-faced bees addressed in this 12-month finding are described in 
the following section. See Table 1 below for a list of the ecosystems 
from which each species is reported. Because Hawaiian Hylaeus spp., 
including these seven, are believed to be essential pollinators of the 
native Hawaiian plant fauna, we are providing this background 
information on the different ecosystems in which they occur to better 
elaborate upon the specific threats found in the five ecosystem types.

                       Table 1--Current (and Historical) Distribution of the Seven Yellow-Faced Bees by Ecosystem Type and Island
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                                                                                        Ecosystems
  Species and number of current  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           populations                  Coastal           Lowland dry        Lowland mesic        Lowland wet        Montane mesic        Montane dry
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H. anthracinus, 13 populations..  HI, MA, MO, OA....  HI, KAH, (*LA),     N/A...............  N/A...............  ..................  HI.
                                                       MA, (*MO), (*OA).
H. assimulans, 5 populations....  KAH, (*MA), (*OA).  LA, MA, (*OA).....  N/A...............  N/A...............  ..................  N/A.
H. facilis, 2 populations.......  (*MA), MO, (*OA)..  (*LA), (*OA)......  (*LA), (*MA),       (*MA), OA.........  (*MO).............  N/A.
                                                                           (*OA).
H. hilaris, 1 population........  (*LA), (*MA), MO..  (*MA).............  N/A...............  N/A...............  ..................  N/A.
H. kuakea, 2 populations........  N/A...............  N/A...............  OA................  N/A...............  ..................  N/A.
H. longiceps, 6 populations.....  LA, MA, MO, OA....  LA, (*MA), (*MO)..  N/A...............  N/A...............  ..................  N/A.

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H. mana, 1 population...........  N/A...............  N/A...............  OA................  N/A...............  ..................  N/A.
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HI = Hawaii (Island); KAH = Kahoolawe; LA = Lanai; MA = Maui; MO = Molokai; OA = Oahu;
(*XX) denotes a historical population; N/A means no population records

Coastal Ecosystem
    The coastal ecosystem is found on all of the main Hawaiian Islands, 
with the highest species diversity found in the least populated coastal 
areas of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, and Kauai, and their 
associated islets, and extends from sea level to approximately 1,000 ft 
(approximately 300 m) in elevation. The coastal vegetation zone is 
typically dry, with annual rainfall of less than approximately 20 
inches (in) (50.8 centimeters (cm)); however windward rainfall may be 
high enough (up to approximately 40 in (1,000 mm)) to support mesic-
associated and sometimes wet-associated vegetation (Gagne and Cuddihy 
1999, pp. 54-66). Compared to dry and mesic ecosystems, biological 
diversity (number of species) is low to moderate in the coastal 
ecosystem, but may include some specialized plants and animals such as 
nesting seabirds and the rare native plant Sesbania tomentosa (ohai) 
(The Nature Conservancy (TNC) 2006a). Sesbania tomentosa formerly 
occurred widely in lower elevation dry habitat on all of the main 
islands and at least on Necker and Nihoa of the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands. The species is now scattered throughout its former range, and 
is restricted to relic populations on sandy beaches, on dunes, on soil 
pockets on lava, and along pond margins (Wagner et al. 1990, p. 705).
    The dominant native vegetation in coastal ecosystems is the shrub 
Scaevola sericea (naupaka kahakai) (Alpha et al. 1996, p. 86). Other 
common native plant species include Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning-
glory), Sporobolus virginicus (beach dropseed), Jacquemontia ovata (pau 
o Hiiaka), and Sesuvium portulacastrum (akulikuli or sea purslane) 
(Wagner et al. 1999, pp. 57-59). Among the Hylaeus species addressed in 
this finding, five are known from coastal ecosystems, including H. 
anthracinus, H. assimulans, H. facilis, H. hilaris, and H. longiceps.
Lowland Dry Ecosystem
    The lowland dry ecosystem includes shrublands and forests below 
approximately 3,300 ft (1,000 m) in elevation that receive less than 50 
in (127 cm) annual rainfall, or are in otherwise prevailingly dry 
substrate conditions. Areas consisting of predominantly native species 
in the lowland dry ecosystem are now rare. This ecosystem is found on 
the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, and 
Kauai, and is best represented on the leeward sides of the islands 
(Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, p. 67). Biological diversity is low to 
moderate in this ecosystem, and includes specialized animals and plants 
such as the Hawaiian owl or pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis) and 
Santalum ellipticum (iliahialoe) (Wagner et al. 1999, pp. 1,220-1,221; 
TNC 2006b).
    Hylaeus anthracinus, H. assimulans, H. facilis, and H. longiceps 
are known from lowland dry forests. These forests are typically 
dominated by Diospyros sandwicensis (lama), Erythrina sandwicensis 
(wiliwili), Nestegis sandwicensis (olopua), or Metrosideros polymorpha 
(ohia) and a diversity of native shrubs growing within the understory 
(Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, pp. 72-74).
Lowland Mesic Ecosystem
    The lowland mesic ecosystem includes a variety of grasslands, 
shrublands, and forests, below approximately 3,300 ft (1,000 m) in 
elevation, that receive between 50 and 75 in (127 and 191 cm) annual 
rainfall, or are in otherwise mesic substrate conditions (TNC 2006c). 
In the Hawaiian Islands, this ecosystem is found on Hawaii, Maui, 
Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai, on both windward and leeward sides of 
the islands. Biological diversity is high in this system (TNC 2006c).
    Lowland mesic forests are typically dominated by Acacia koa (koa), 
Diospyros sandwicensis, Metrosideros polymorpha, or Nestegis 
sandwicensis, and a diversity of understory trees and native shrubs 
growing below the canopy species (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, p. 80-82). 
Historically, Hylaeus facilis was known from lowland mesic forest, but 
currently only H. kuakea and H. mana are found in this habitat.
Lowland Wet Ecosystem
    The lowland wet ecosystem is generally found below approximately 
3,300 ft (1,000 m) in elevation on the windward sides of the main 
Hawaiian Islands, except Kahoolawe (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, p. 85; TNC 
2006d). These areas include a variety of wet grasslands, shrublands, 
and forests that receive greater than 75 in (191 cm) annual 
precipitation, or are in otherwise wet substrate conditions (TNC 
2006d). Biological diversity is high in this system (TNC 2006d). The 
majority of lowland wet forests are dominated by Metrosideros 
polymorpha, with understory trees such as Psychotria spp. (kopiko) and 
Antidesma platyphyllum (hame) (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, p. 87). 
Currently, Hylaeus facilis is known from lowland wet forest (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 81).
Montane Dry Ecosystem
    The montane dry ecosystem is composed of natural communities 
(shrublands, grasslands, forest) found at elevations between 
approximately 3,300 and 6,600 ft (1,000 and 2,000 m), in areas where 
annual precipitation is less than 50 in (127 cm), or otherwise in dry 
substrate conditions (TNC 2006g). Montane dry forests occur on the 
leeward sides of the islands of Maui and Hawaii, and biological 
diversity is moderate (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, p. 93; TNC 2006g). 
Montane dry forests are dominated by some combination of Acacia koa, 
Sophora chrysophylla) (mamame), Metrosideros polymorpha, and rarely, 
Chamaesyce olowaluana (akoko) (Gagne and Cuddihy, p. 95). In 2004, a 
single individual of H. anthracinus was collected in montane dry forest 
on Hawaii Island.
Specific Information on Hylaeus anthracinus
Taxonomy and Description
    Hylaeus anthracinus was first described as Prosopis anthracina by 
Smith in 1873 (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 55), and transferred to 
Nesoprosopis 20 years later (Perkins 1899, pp. 75). Nesoprosopis was 
reduced to a subgenus of Hylaeus in

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1923 (Meade-Waldo 1923, p. 1). Although the distinctness of this 
species remains unquestioned, recent genetic evidence (Magnacca and 
Brown 2010, pp. 5-7) suggests H. anthracinus may be composed of three 
cryptic (not recognized) species or subspecies that represent the 
populations on Hawaii, Maui and Kahoolawe, and Molokai and Oahu. 
However, this has not been established scientifically; therefore, we 
treat H. anthracinus as a single species in this finding.
    Hylaeus anthracinus is a medium-sized, black bee with clear to 
smoky wings and black legs. The male has a single large yellow spot on 
his face, while below the antennal sockets the face is yellow. The 
female is entirely black and can be distinguished by the black hairs on 
the end of the abdomen and an unusual mandible that has three teeth, a 
characteristic shared only with H. flavifrons, a closely related 
species on Kauai (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 53).
Life History
    The diet of the larval stage of Hylaeus anthracinus is unknown, 
although the larvae are presumed to feed on stores of pollen and nectar 
collected and deposited in the nest by the adult female. Likewise, the 
nesting habits of H. anthracinus are not known, but the species is 
thought to nest within the stems of coastal shrubs (Magnacca 2005a, p. 
2).
    Hylaeus anthracinus adults have been observed visiting the flowers 
of Sesbania tomentosa, Scaevola sericea, Sida fallax (ilima), Argemone 
glauca (pua kala), Chamaesyce celastroides (akoko), Chamaesyce degeneri 
(akoko), Heliotropium anomalum (hinahina), and Myoporum sandwicense 
(naio). This species has also been collected from inside the fruit 
capsule of Kadua coriacea (kioele) (Magnacca 2005a, p. 2). Hylaeus 
anthracinus has also been observed visiting Tournefortia argentea (tree 
heliotrope), a tree native to tropical Asia, Madagascar, tropical 
Australia, and Polynesia, for nectar and pollen (Wagner et al. 1999, p. 
398; Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 55; Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). 
Tournefortia argentea was first collected on Oahu in 1864-1865, and is 
naturalized and documented from all of the main islands except 
Kahoolawe (Wagner et al. 1999, p. 398). Hylaeus anthracinus commonly 
occurs alongside other Hylaeus species, including H. longiceps and H. 
flavipes.
Range and Distribution
    Hylaeus anthracinus was historically known from numerous coastal 
and lowland dry forest habitats up to 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation on 
the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Between 1997 and 
2008, surveys for Hawaiian Hylaeus were conducted at 43 sites 
throughout the Hawaiian Islands that were either historical collecting 
localities for H. anthracinus, or potentially suitable habitat for this 
species. Hylaeus anthracinus was observed at 13 of the 43 survey sites, 
but had disappeared from each of the 9 historically occupied sites 
surveyed (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 217; Magnacca 2007b, p. 44). 
Several of the historical collection sites, such as Honolulu and 
Waikiki on Oahu and Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii, no longer contain Hylaeus 
habitat, which has been replaced by urban development or is dominated 
by nonnative vegetation (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, pp. 346-347; Daly 
and Magnacca 2003, p. 55; Magnacca 2007a, pp. 186-188).
    Hylaeus anthracinus is currently known from 13 small patches of 
coastal and lowland dry forest habitat (Magnacca 2005a, p. 2): five 
locations on the island of Hawaii; one location on Kahoolawe; two 
locations on Maui; three locations on Molokai; and two locations on 
Oahu (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 217; Magnacca 2005a, p. 2; Magnacca 
2007b, p. 44). These 13 locations supported small populations of H. 
anthracinus, but the number of individual bees is unknown. In 2004, a 
single individual was collected in montane dry forest on the island of 
Hawaii; however, the presence of additional individuals has not been 
confirmed at this site (Magnacca 2005a, p. 2). Although it was 
previously unknown from the island of Kahoolawe, H. anthracinus was 
observed at one location on the island in 2002 (Daly and Magnacca 2003, 
p. 55). The species is believed to be extirpated from Lanai (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 55). Additionally, during surveys between 1997 and 
2008, H. anthracinus was absent from 17 other sites on Hawaii, Maui, 
Molokai, and Oahu with potentially suitable habitat from which other 
species of Hylaeus were collected (Daly and Magnacca 2003; Magnacca, 
University of Hawaii at Hilo, pers. comm. 2008a).
Hawaii Island
    Hylaeus anthracinus was first described by Perkins (1899, p. 100) 
from specimens collected by F. Smith on the Kona (west) coast at 
Kealakekua Bay. In the intervening 99 years, H. anthracinus appears to 
have declined significantly throughout its historical range on this 
coastline. Between 1997 and 2008, researchers thoroughly surveyed the 
area around Kealakekua Bay and Keei to the south, but found no species 
of Hylaeus and observed that most of these areas are either dominated 
by invasive, nonnative plants, such as Leucaena leucephala (koa haole), 
or lack vegetation entirely (Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). Hylaeus 
anthracinus is currently found in five locations in coastal and lowland 
dry forest on the leeward (west) side of the island, including 
Kohanaiki; Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park (NHP); Makalawena 
Beach; the Mahaiula section of Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park; and 
Kaulana Bay near Ka Lae (South Point). In addition, there is one recent 
collection from montane dry forest in the U.S. Army's Pohakuloa 
Training Area, in the northern part of the island. Collection reports 
from these six areas follow:
    (A) Kohanaiki: Hylaeus anthracinus was collected in coastal habitat 
on Tournefortia argentea at this location near Puhili Point by Magnacca 
(2007b, p. 44). Kohanaiki is an area of land granted to indigenous 
Hawaiians in 1995 for cultural and recreational preservation and 
pursuits (Kohanaiki Ohana 1995 (https://www.kohanaiki.org/)). There is 
some possibility for increased recreational impact to the area, if and 
when adjacent privately owned parcels are developed, as is currently 
planned (Kohanaiki Ohana 1995 (https://www.kohanaiki.org/)).
    (B) Kaloko-Honokohau NHP: In 2007, researchers collected Hylaeus 
anthracinus in coastal habitat in Kaloko-Honokohau NHP, which is just 
south of Kohanaiki, and managed by the National Park Service (NPS) (P. 
Aldrich, University of Hawaii at Manoa, pers. comm. 2008a; Magnacca, 
pers. comm. 2008c).
    (C) Makalawena Beach: Researchers collected Hylaeus anthracinus in 
coastal habitat in south Kona at Makalawena Beach in 2007 (P. Aldrich, 
pers. comm., July 2008a). Inaccessible by motor vehicle, visitors must 
hike to the beach on a trail that begins in nearby Kekaha Kai State 
Park. Makalawena Beach is located on private land owned by Kamehameha 
Schools.
    (D) Mahaiula Section of Kekaha Kai State Park: Researchers 
collected Hylaeus anthracinus in coastal habitat in the Mahaiula 
section of Kekaha Kai State Park in 2007 (P. Aldrich, unpublished 
data). The park is managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural 
Resources' (DLNR) Division of State Parks, and is open to the public 
daily. This section of the park is accessed by a 1.5-mile (mi) (1.6-
kilometer (km)) unpaved road from the main highway (Queen Kaahumanu 
Highway (Hwy 19)), and offers public

[[Page 55174]]

recreational opportunities for swimming and beach-related activities, 
such as hiking, picnicking, and boating (https://www.hawaiistateparks.org/hawaiistateparks/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=47).
    (E) Kaulana Bay: Hylaeus anthracinus appears to be restricted to an 
area of 5,000-10,000 year-old lava flows east of Ka Lae at Kaulana Bay, 
where it and other species of Hylaeus were collected in 1999 and 2002 
(Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). The substrate of these lava flows is distinct 
from the surrounding areas covered by Pahala ash (Magnacca, pers. comm. 
2010b). The area near Ka Lae, at the southernmost tip of the island of 
Hawaii, is believed to be the best coastal habitat for Hylaeus on the 
island. However, H. anthracinus was absent from several sites with 
potentially suitable vegetation near Ka Lae and other sites to the east 
along the coast, including Kalu, Kaalualu, and Mahana, where other 
Hylaeus species were collected. The population of H. anthracinus at 
Kaulana Bay appears highly localized, and may have more stringent 
habitat requirements related to localized substrate type than other 
species of Hawaiian Hylaeus found in nearby areas (e.g., H. difficilis 
and H. flavipes). The Ka Lae area, including Kaulana Bay, is registered 
as a National Historic Landmark District and a large portion of the 
area is primarily owned by the State's Department of Hawaiian Home 
Lands (DHHL), although a smaller portion is privately owned. Public 
access to Kaulana Bay is not restricted, and the area is used for 
recreational activities such as off-road vehicle use (Magnacca, pers. 
comm. 2008a).
    (F) U.S. Army's Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA): In 2004, one male 
Hylaeus anthracinus was collected on the southern slopes of Mauna Kea 
in montane dry forest habitat in the U.S. Army's PTA at approximately 
5,200-5,400 ft (1,590-1,650 m) in elevation (Magnacca 2007b, p. 44). 
The specimen was found inside the fruit capsule of the federally 
endangered plant, Hedyotis coriacea (kioele). Hylaeus anthracinus has 
not been observed at the PTA since the collection made in 2004 
(Magnacca 2007b, p. 44). It is unknown if this collection was a single 
vagrant individual or from an established population at the PTA 
(Magnacca 2007b, p. 44).
Kahoolawe Island
    Previously unknown on Kahoolawe, a population of Hylaeus 
anthracinus was discovered in 2002 in coastal habitat at Pali o 
Kalapakea, where four specimens were collected at an elevation of 1,000 
ft (300 m) (Daly and Magnacca 2003; Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). 
However, this species was absent from potentially suitable habitat 
located at Kamohio on the southeastern coast of the island where other 
Hylaeus species were collected. Overgrazing by introduced cattle and 
goats, and bombing and target practice by the U.S. military, have led 
to soil erosion resulting in the loss of almost all of the coastal and 
lowland dry forest habitat on this island (Warren 2004, p. 461). In 
1993, Congress ended military use on Kahoolawe, and the Kahoolawe 
Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) was created to manage land use and 
restore Kahoolawe's natural resources (Dept. of Defense, p. 1). Access 
to the island is limited and controlled by KIRC, and activities 
conducted on the island include fishing, habitat restoration, 
historical preservation, and education. Commercial enterprises are 
currently prohibited on the island (Warren 2004, p. 1).
Maui
    Perkins (1899, p. 100) originally described Hylaeus anthracinus as 
abundant in coastal and lowland habitat on the island of Maui, where it 
was known from four sites. Perkins' primary collection site for coastal 
bees on Maui was the Wailuku sandhills, which once supported a diverse 
bee fauna. Lacking adequate descriptions, researchers were unable to 
relocate two of the Perkins collection sites during recent surveys, but 
two sites were relocated and surveyed in 1999 and 2001 (Magnacca 2007a, 
p. 173). Hylaeus anthracinus has also been collected at Kanaio on the 
lower southern slopes of Haleakala, an unusual location for this 
otherwise exclusively coastal species. The species was also collected 
at the coast nearby, at Manawainui. Descriptions of these three sites 
follows:
    (A) Wailuku Sand Hills: Formerly a large expanse of coastal dune 
habitat, the Wailuku sand hills remain as small remnant dunes and only 
one, at Waiehu, contains intact native vegetation potentially suitable 
for Hylaeus bees. This remnant coastal sand dune covers less than 2.5 
acres (ac) (1 hectare (ha)) on State lands near a golf course. Hylaeus 
anthracinus was not observed during the 1999 and 2001 surveys in this 
location (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 217). The rest of the dunes have 
been destroyed by development or are overgrown with the nonnative plant 
Prosopis pallida (kiawe). Researchers observed that the Kahului section 
of the dunes, located south of the native remnant dune, no longer 
contains potentially suitable habitat for species of Hylaeus (Magnacca 
2007a, p. 182).
    (B) Kanaio Natural Area Reserve: Hylaeus anthracinus was collected 
in 1999 in remnant native lowland dry forest in the State's Kanaio 
Natural Area Reserve (NAR) on the southern slopes of Haleakala at 2,000 
ft (600 m) in elevation (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 217). Kanaio NAR is 
a State-protected area of approximately 876 ac (355 ha), and contains 
patches of lowland dry forest and shrub lands. The State plans to 
rehabilitate habitat in the Kanaio NAR by excluding feral ungulates 
with fencing, managing weeds, and planting native species (https://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/rpc/projects-on-maui).
    (C) Manawainui Gulch: In 1999, Hylaeus anthracinus was collected at 
this coastal site on land owned by the State's DHHL (Magnacca, pers. 
comm. 2008a). The site is east of Kahikinui, and should not be confused 
with the Manawainui Valley, which is east of Kaupo, or Manawainui Gulch 
at Ukumehame on west Maui.
Molokai
    Perkins collected Hylaeus anthracinus at Kaulawai [Kauluwai] and 
two unknown sites: the lower slopes of the north Molokai mountains and 
the ``Molokai plains'' (Perkins 1899; Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 55). 
Hylaeus anthracinus occurred in three of five sites surveyed between 
1999 and 2005. These locations include TNC's Moomomi Preserve on 
Molokai's northwest coast, and Hoolehua Beach and Kaupikiawa, both 
located on the Kalaupapa peninsula (Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). This 
species was not observed at several other sites with potentially 
suitable habitat, including sand dune habitat near the Kaluakoi resort 
on Molokai's west coast (Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). Collection 
reports of these sites follow:
    (A) Moomomi Preserve: Between 1999 and 2001, researchers collected 
H. anthracinus and H. longiceps from an area of native vegetation in 
coastal dune habitat within Moomomi Preserve (Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). 
Moomomi Preserve contains intact coastal dunes dominated by native 
vegetation, as well as dune and inland areas dominated by nonnative 
vegetation.
    (B) Hoolehua Beach and Kaupikiawa: In 2005, Hylaeus anthracinus was 
collected at a coastal site above Hoolehua Beach near the tip of the 
Kalaupapa peninsula, and at Kaupikiawa, just to the east (Magnacca 
2007b, p. 181). Both sites are located within Kalaupapa NHP, which is 
cooperatively managed by the NPS, DHHL, and the State's DLNR and 
Departments of Health (DOH) and Transportation (DOT). The areas on the

[[Page 55175]]

east side of the Kalaupapa peninsula are largely rocky and devoid of 
vegetation, but contain scattered patches of native coastal vegetation, 
similar to Ka Lae on the island of Hawaii (Magnacca 2007a, p. 181).
Oahu
    Hylaeus anthracinus was historically known from seven sites on the 
island of Oahu, although two of the coastal sites were not conclusively 
identified by Perkins and the exact locations cannot now be determined 
(Perkins 1899, p. 100). This species appears to have declined 
precipitously since Perkins' collecting period on Oahu (1892-1906) and 
is currently only known from two sites, Kaena Point NAR and Mokuauia 
(Goat Island). Between 1997 and 2008, H. anthracinus was not found 
during surveys of five of its historical Perkins-era collection sites. 
Several of these sites no longer provide suitable habitat for Hylaeus 
species because native vegetation has been removed during urbanization, 
or the sites are dominated by invasive, nonnative vegetation. These 
sites include Honolulu, Waikiki, ``the Honolulu mountains,'' Waialua, 
and the Waianae coast (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, pp. 345-347; Daly 
and Magnacca 2003, p. 55). Between 1999 and 2002, researchers searched 
coastal habitat at Makapuu and Kalaeloa (Barber's Point), but did not 
find any species of Hylaeus (Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). The coastal 
habitat at both sites is degraded and dominated by nonnative 
vegetation. Descriptions of the two known sites follow:
    (A) Kaena Point NAR: Between 1998 and 2008, Hylaeus anthracinus was 
collected at Kaena Point, which is located on Oahu's northwest-most 
point (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 55; Sahli, University of Hawaii at 
Manoa, pers. comm. 2008). Kaena Point contains the best intact native 
coastal habitat on Oahu, and is an excellent example of that type of 
ecosystem in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It provides habitat for 
nesting seabirds, monk seals, native plants, and other native species 
(Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). The primary activities within this NAR 
include recreation, hiking, nature study, education, and the 
observation of wildlife (DLNR 2007, p. 20). While illegal off-road 
driving was once a concern, a physical barrier is now in place that 
prevents vehicular access, and native vegetation is regenerating and 
being restored by the Kaena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project (DLNR 
2007, p. 20; Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). In partnership with several 
agencies including the Service, the DLNR is building a predator-proof 
fence to prevent nonnative species, such as cats and dogs that threaten 
nesting seabirds, from entering 59 ac (24 ha) of coastal habitat within 
Kaena Point NAR (https://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/kaena/index.htm).
    (B) Mokuauia (Goat Island): From the lack of records, it appears 
Perkins and other early naturalists did not search Mokuauia or Oahu's 
other offshore islets for yellow-faced bees. Recently, Hylaeus 
anthracinus was found on this islet by Service biologists during 
general surveys of the islet (S. Plentovich, Service, pers. comm. 
2008). Mokuauia, an offshore islet in Laie Bay located on Oahu's 
northeast coast, encompasses 13 ac (5.3 ha) and reaches a maximum 
elevation of 15 ft (4.5 m). The entire islet is a State Seabird 
Sanctuary and is managed by the State's Department of Forestry and 
Wildlife (DOFAW). The entire islet was designated as critical habitat 
for the endangered plant Sesbania tomentosa in 2003, and the DOFAW is 
actively restoring native vegetation and controlling nonnative species. 
Mokuauia is easily accessed by the public and is a popular destination 
for small boats, kayaks, and swimmers on weekends.
Lanai
    Hylaeus anthracinus has not been observed on Lanai for over 100 
years and is likely extirpated from this privately owned island. This 
species was not observed at any of the recently surveyed sites, 
including Manele Bay, where it was collected by Perkins in 1899 
(Magnacca 2007a, p. 182; Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). However, other 
Hylaeus species were collected at seven of the eight locations surveyed 
(Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229).
Summary of Hylaeus anthracinus Range and Distribution
    Hylaeus anthracinus was historically known from numerous coastal 
and lowland dry forest habitats up to 2,000 ft (600 m) in elevation, on 
the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Currently, this 
species is known from a total of 13 sites in a few small patches of 
coastal and lowland dry forest habitat: one location on Kahoolawe, five 
locations on the island of Hawaii, two locations on Maui, three 
locations on Molokai, and two locations on Oahu. In addition, in 2004 a 
single individual of H. anthracinus was collected in montane dry forest 
habitat on the island of Hawaii. It is unknown if this collection was a 
single vagrant individual or from an established population. The lands 
on which H. anthracinus occurs are under a variety of jurisdictions, 
including private (e.g., TNC), State (e.g., DHHL, DOFAW, NARs, State 
Park, Seabird Sanctuary), and Federal (U.S. Army, NPS).
Specific Information on Hylaeus assimulans
Taxonomy and Description
    Hylaeus assimulans was first described as Nesoprosopis assimulans 
(Perkins 1899, pp. 75, 101-102); Nesoprosopis was reduced to a subgenus 
of Hylaeus in 1923 (Meade-Waldo 1923, p. 1). The species was most 
recently described as Hylaeus assimulans by Daly and Magnacca in 2003 
(pp. 55-56). Hylaeus assimulans is distinguished by its large size 
relative to other coastal Hylaeus species and slightly smoky to smoky-
colored wings. The male is black with yellow face marks, with an almost 
entirely yellow clypeus (lower face region) with additional marks on 
the sides that narrow dorsally (towards the top). The male also has 
brown appressed (flattened) hairs on the tip of the abdomen. The female 
is entirely black, large-bodied, and has no distinct punctuation on the 
abdomen (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 56).
Life History
    The diet of the larval stage of Hylaeus assimulans is unknown, 
although the larvae are presumed to feed on stores of pollen and nectar 
collected and deposited in the nest by the female adult (Magnacca 
2005b, p. 2). Likewise, the nesting habits of H. assimulans are not 
known, but because the species is genetically related to other ground 
nesting Hylaeus spp., it is thought to be a ground nester (Magnacca 
2005b, p. 2).
    Hylaeus assimulans adults have been observed visiting the flowers 
of Lipochaeta lobata (nehe) and its likely primary host plant, Sida 
fallax (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 58). Hylaeus assimulans appears to 
be closely associated with plants in the genus Sida, and studies thus 
far suggest this yellow-faced bee species may be more common where this 
plant is abundant (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 58, 217; Magnacca 2007a, 
p. 183). In recent survey efforts, H. assimulans seems to be more 
common in dry forest at relatively higher elevations, which may be 
related to the abundance of Sida in the understory (Magnacca 2005b, p. 
2). Sida spp. were less often found in coastal habitat. It is likely H. 
assimulans visits several other native plants, including Acacia koa, 
Metrosideros polymorpha, Styphelia tameiameiae (pukiawe), and species 
of Scaevola (naupaka) and Chamaesyce (akoko),

[[Page 55176]]

which are frequented by other Hylaeus species as well (Magnacca, pers. 
comm. 2008b).
Range and Distribution
    Historically, Hylaeus assimulans was known from numerous coastal 
and lowland dry forest habitats up to 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation on 
the islands of Lanai, Maui, and Oahu. There are no collections from 
Molokai, although it is likely H. assimulans also occurred there 
because all other species of Hylaeus known from Maui, Lanai, and Oahu 
also occurred on Molokai (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229). Between 
1997 and 2008, surveys for Hawaiian Hylaeus were conducted in 25 sites 
on Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Hylaeus assimulans was 
absent from six of its historical localities on Lanai, Maui, and Oahu 
(Xerces Society 2009b, p. 4). Hylaeus assimulans was not observed at 19 
other sites with potentially suitable habitat on Lanai, Maui, Molokai, 
and Oahu, including several sites from which other native Hylaeus 
species have been recently collected (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 56, 
217; Magnacca 2005b, p. 2; Magnacca 2007a, pp. 177, 181, 183).
    Currently, Hylaeus assimulans is known from a few small patches of 
coastal and lowland dry forest habitat at one location on Kahoolawe, 
two locations on Lanai, and two locations on Maui (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, p. 58; Magnacca 2005, p. 2). This species has likely been 
extirpated from Oahu because it has not been observed since Perkins' 
1899 surveys and was not found during recent surveys of potentially 
suitable coastal habitat at Kaena Point, Makapuu, and Kalaeloa (Daly 
and Magnacca 2003, p. 217; Magnacca 2005, p. 2; H. Sahli, unpublished 
data).
Kahoolawe
    Although not historically known from Kahaoolawe (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a), Hylaeus assimulans was discovered 
in 1997 near the high cliffs of Kamohio Bay in the center of the 
southern coast of the island (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p 217). The 
species was absent from one other site on the island in lowland habitat 
on the east coast at Pali o Kalapakea where other Hylaeus species were 
collected (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229).
Lanai
    On Lanai, Perkins found Hylaeus assimulans in low numbers within 
uninhabited coastal habitat at Awalua in northwest Lanai, and in the 
Koele mountains at an elevation of 2,000 ft (610 m) (Perkins 1899, p. 
102). Between 1998 and 2006, seven sites with potentially suitable 
habitat on private lands, including Mt. Koele and Awalua, were 
surveyed, and H. assimulans was found only near Manele Road and Polihua 
Road in small pockets of native vegetation (Magnacca, pers. comm. 
2008b). Descriptions of these sites follow:
    (A) Manele Road: In 1999, Hylaeus assimulans was collected in 
lowland dry forest along Manele Road at 600 ft (180 m) in elevation, 
north of Manele Beach in southern Lanai (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 
217). Researchers observed the canopy was dominated by invasive 
Prosopis pallida trees and the understory had a dense stand of Sida 
fallax, the likely primary host plant of H. assimulans (Magnacca, pers. 
comm. 2008b). However, with the exception of a few stunted plants at 
the roadside where moisture had accumulated, the rest of the stand of 
Sida fallax had senesced (reached maturity) or possibly died. Native 
plants at this site appeared to be drought-intolerant and probably did 
not provide consistent habitat for Hylaeus throughout the year 
(Magnacca 2007a, p. 183; Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a).
    (B) Polihua Road: In 1999, two specimens of H. assimulans were 
collected in lowland dry forest along Polihua Road at 1,000 ft in 
elevation (300 m) in central Lanai (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 58). 
Both sites are on private land, and we are unaware of any recent or 
current land management in these areas.
Maui
    Perkins collected Hylaeus assimulans from coastal habitat at the 
Wailuku sand hills, and from an unknown site labeled ``Maui'' (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 58). Although other rare Hylaeus spp. were collected 
from the Waiehu dunes area during surveys conducted in 1999 and 2001, 
H. assimulans, as well as several other species once collected there by 
Perkins, were not found (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229; Magnacca, 
pers. comm. 2008a). Between 1998 and 2006, researchers surveyed six 
potentially suitable habitat locations island-wide, and H. assimulans 
was found within small pockets of native plants in only two of these 
sites (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 217; Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a). 
However, researchers believe H. assimulans may exist in potentially 
suitable habitat in rugged and inaccessible portions of west Maui 
(Magnacca, in litt., 2010, p. 1). Descriptions of these two sites 
follow:
    (A) Lahainaluna: In 1999, Hylaeus assimulans was collected in dry 
lowland forest at 1,800 ft (550 m) in elevation on the west side of 
Maui. The site is with the State's West Maui NAR. Established in 1986, 
the NAR's management plan calls for the control and removal of feral 
ungulates, and the control of selected priority invasive plant species 
(https://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/maui/west-maui).
    (B) Waikapu: In 2000, researchers collected Hylaeus assimulans in 
lowland dry shrubland dominated by the native shrub, Dodonaea viscosa 
(aalii) at 400 ft (120 m) elevation in Waikapu Valley, which is south 
of Iao Valley on the east side of west Maui (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 
217). The 10,000-square ft (.09-square-ha) site is privately owned and 
surrounded by a fence to exclude nonnative axis deer (Axis axis). The 
fence was built in the mid-1980s by the Native Hawaiian Plant Society, 
and is currently managed by inspecting the fence for breaks; removing 
nonnative, invasive weeds; and collecting seeds of native plants for 
propagation. There have been two major fires in the past 5 years in the 
vicinity of the fenced area, although neither fire has burned within 
the enclosed area (H. Oppenheimer, Plant Extinction Prevention Program, 
pers. comm. 2008).
    Between 1997 and 2007, Hylaeus assimulans was not collected during 
surveys of potentially suitable habitat at other locations on Maui 
where other rare Hylaeus species were collected, including lowland dry 
forest habitat in Kanaio NAR and coastal habitat at Manawainui Gulch 
(Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229; Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a).
Oahu
    Perkins found Hylaeus assimulans to be widespread but not 
relatively abundant on Oahu (Magnacca 2005b, p. 2). His Oahu collection 
sites included Honolulu (Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008a), the Kaala 
mountains, the Waianae Mountains, and the Waianae coast (Perkins 1899, 
p. 102; Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 58). There are also specimens 
collected by Perkins from unknown locations labeled ``Oahu'' and ``w. 
coast, near sea level'' (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 58).
    Hylaeus assimulans was not found during surveys conducted between 
1998 and 2008, including surveys at one historical location (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, pp. 58, 217). Although H. anthracinus was recently found 
on Mokuania (see Hylaeus anthracinus Range and Distribution), H. 
assimulans was not found during surveys of potentially suitable habitat 
on this off-shore islet (S. Plentovich, Service, pers. comm. 2008). The 
absence of H. assimulans from potentially suitable

[[Page 55177]]

coastal habitat on Oahu suggests it has likely been extirpated from 
this island (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 58; H. Sahli, unpublished 
data).
Summary of Hylaeus assimulans Range and Distribution
    Hylaeus assimulans was historically known from numerous coastal and 
lowland dry habitats up to 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation, on the 
islands of Lanai, Maui, and Oahu. Currently, this species is found in a 
few small patches of coastal and lowland dry forest habitat in five 
locations on Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Maui. The lands on which H. 
assimulans occurs are under private and State (DLNR and KIRC) 
ownership.
Specific Information on Hylaeus facilis
Taxonomy and Description
    Hylaeus facilis is a member of the H. difficilis species group, and 
is closely related to H. chlorostictus and H. simplex. Hylaeus facilis 
was first described as Prosopis facilis by Smith in 1879 (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 80), based on a specimen erroneously reported from 
Maui. According to Blackburn and Cameron (1886 and 1887), the species' 
type locality was Pauoa Valley on Oahu (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 80). 
The species was later transferred to the genus Nesoprosopis (Perkins 
1899, pp. 75, 77). Nesoprosopis was subsequently reduced to a subgenus 
of Hylaeus (Meade-Waldo 1923, p. 1). The species was most recently 
recognized by Daly and Magnacca (2003, p. 80) as H. facilis. Hylaeus 
facilis is a medium-sized bee with smoky colored wings. The male has an 
oval yellow mark on its face that covers the entire clypeus (lower face 
region), and a narrow stripe beside the eyes, but is otherwise 
unmarked. The large, externally visible gonoforceps (paired lateral 
outer parts of the male genitalia) distinguish H. facilis from the 
closely related H. simplex (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 83). The female 
is entirely black and indistinguishable from females of H. difficilis 
and H. simplex (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 81-82).
Life History
    The diet of the larval stage of Hylaeus facilis is unknown, 
although the larvae are presumed to feed on stores of pollen and nectar 
collected and deposited in the nest by the adult female. The nesting 
habits of H. facilis have not been observed, but the species is thought 
to nest underground as do the closely related species H. chlorostictus 
and H. simplex (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 83; Magnacca 2005c, p. 2).
    The native host plants of adult Hylaeus facilis are unknown, but it 
is likely this species visits several plants other Hylaeus species are 
known to frequent, including Acacia koa, Metrosideros polymorpha, 
Styphelia tameiameiae, Scaevola spp., and Chamaesyce spp. (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 11). Hylaeus facilis has also been observed visiting 
the nonnative Tourneforia argentea for nectar and pollen (Magnacca 
2007a, p. 181).
Range and Distribution
    Hylaeus facilis was historically known from Lanai, Maui, Molokai, 
and Oahu, in dry shrubland to wet forest, from coastal to montane 
habitat up to 3,281 ft (1,000 m) in elevation (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999, 
p. 93; Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 81, 83). Perkins (1899, p. 77) 
remarked H. facilis was among the most common and widespread Hylaeus 
species on Oahu and all of Maui Nui (Lanai, Maui, and Molokai) 
(Magnacca 2007a, p. 183). The abundance of specimens in the collections 
at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu demonstrates the historic prevalence 
of this species in a diverse array of habitats and elevations (Magnacca 
2007a, p. 183). Although the species was widely collected within a 
diverse range of habitats historically, it probably prefers dry to 
mesic forest and shrubland (Magnacca 2005c, p. 2), which are 
increasingly rare and patchily distributed habitats (Smith 1985, pp. 
227-233; Juvik and Juvik 1998, p. 124; Wagner et al. 1999, pp. 66-67, 
75; Magnacca 2005c, p. 2).
    Hylaeus facilis has almost entirely disappeared from most of its 
historical range (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 7; Magnacca 2007a, p. 
183). Between 1998 and 2006, 39 sites on Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu 
were surveyed, including 13 historical sites. Hylaeus facilis was 
absent from each of the 13 historical localities (Magnacca 2007a, p. 
183) and was also not observed at 26 other sites with potentially 
suitable habitat, including many sites from which other native Hylaeus 
species have been recently collected (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 7, 
81-82; Magnacca 2007a, p. 183). Likely extirpated from Lanai, H. 
facilis is currently only known from two locations, one each on the 
islands of Molokai and Oahu (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 81-82; 
Magnacca 2005c, p. 2). In addition, in 1990, a single individual was 
collected on Maui in a residential area near Makawao at 1,500 ft (457 
m) in elevation. However, this site is an urbanized area devoid of 
native plants, and it is likely this collection was a single vagrant 
individual and not from an established population on Maui.
Lanai
    Perkins (1899) described Hylaeus facilis as ``common'' at two Lanai 
locations. He noted H. facilis was collected from the Koele Mountains 
at 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation. Researchers believe the collection 
locality was northwest of Puu Alii where the ridges are at an elevation 
of approximately 2,000 ft (600 m). The Puu Alii summit itself is 2,800 
ft (850 m) in elevation, and less likely to be the site of Perkins' 
collection (Magnacca in litt. 2011, p. 36). Today this area contains 
mixed native and nonnative vegetation. Researchers collected three 
other species of Hylaeus in the same general area, along the Munro 
Trail and Kaiholena ridge in 1999 and 2001 (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 
217-229). Perkins' second collection site was in montane habitat at 
3,000 ft (900 m) in elevation at Haalelepaakai in the ``summit 
mountains on Lanai'' (Daly and Magnacca 2003, p. 83). Researchers 
surveyed this area in 1999 and 2001, and were unable to find H. 
facilis, although they collected four other Hylaeus species (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229). Hylaeus facilis is likely extirpated from 
Lanai because it has not been relocated in over 100 years, and its 
potentially suitable habitat has been extensively surveyed (Magnacca 
2007a, pp. 177, 183).
Maui
    Perkins collected Hylaeus facilis from three different sites on 
Maui, including coastal habitat at the Wailuku sand hills (Waiehu 
dunes), montane mesic forest habitat on Haleakala, and lowland wet 
habitat in Iao Valley. Although other species of Hylaeus were collected 
from the Waiehu dunes in 1999 and 2001, H. facilis, as well as several 
other species collected by Perkins in the late 19th century, were 
absent (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229).
    Perkins (1899) collected Hylaeus facilis in montane mesic forest 
habitat on Haleakala at an elevation of 5,000 ft (1,524 m) on 
Haleakala, in the Olinda area where he is known to have camped while 
surveying for and collecting insects (Evenhuis 2009, pp. 199-200). 
These native forests were once abundant in this area up to 6,000 ft 
(1,818 m) in elevation across the west slope of Haleakala, but have now 
been completely converted by agriculture and other land uses (Juvik and 
Juvik 1998, pp. 123-124). Hylaeus facilis and other species with 
similar habitat requirements (e.g., H. difficilis, H. volcanicus) are 
absent from the native,

[[Page 55178]]

wetter forest across the eastern slope of Haleakala (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, pp. 219-221, 228-229).
    Perkins also collected Hylaeus facilis in lowland wet habitat at an 
elevation of 2,000 ft (610 m) in Iao Valley in the west Maui Mountains 
(H. V. Daly, unpublished data). The terrain in Iao Valley is especially 
rugged and wet, and Perkins relied on assistants to collect specimens 
from this area (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, p. 351). Even today the 
vegetation in this area is predominantly native (Liebherr and Polhemus 
1997, p. 351).
    Since the late 1960s, there have been only two collections of 
Hylaeus facilis on Maui, but neither is from a distinct population that 
can be relocated. One collection was made in 1967 (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, p. 221; Magnacca 2005c, p. 2), but the location is unknown 
(Xerces Society 2009c, p. 7). In 1990, a single individual was 
collected at Kokomo at an elevation of 1,500 ft (457 m) near Makawao, 
in a residential area devoid of native plants (Daly and Magnacca 2003, 
p. 221). This individual may have been a straggler blown in from a 
different site altogether (Magnacca 2005c, p. 2). Researchers question 
whether any viable H. facilis populations still remain on Maui 
(Magnacca 2007a, pp. 183-184).
Molokai
    Perkins collected Hylaeus facilis in three locations within montane 
mesic forest habitat in the east Molokai Mountains (Daly and Magnacca 
2003, p. 83). These locations were probably between Makakupaia and the 
rim of Pelekunu Valley, where Perkins did most of his collecting 
(Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, p. 347). Makakupaia is located within 
TNC's Kamakou Preserve. Researchers have surveyed extensively in 
similar, high-elevation habitat near Perkins' collecting area, 
including Kamakou Road (3,200 ft (975 m)), Puu Kolekole (3,400 ft 
(1,040 m)), and Kawela Gulch (3,600 ft (2,000 m)), and found other 
Hylaeus species, but were unable to locate H. facilis (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229).
    In 2005, researchers collected Hylaeus facilis in coastal habitat 
at Kuololimu Point, within Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KNHP) on 
the southeast coast of the Kalaupapa peninsula (Magnacca 2007b, pp. 44-
45). This area, located on the east side of the peninsula, is largely 
rocky and devoid of vegetation, but contains scattered patches of 
native coastal vegetation similar to habitat at Ka Lae on the island of 
Hawaii (Magnacca 2007a, p. 181). The park is cooperatively managed by 
the NPS, and the State of Hawaii's DHHL, DLNR, DOH, and DOT (NPS 2006 
(https://www.nps.gov/kala/index.htm)).
Oahu
    Perkins collected Hylaeus facilis from six sites on Oahu (Daly and 
Magnacca 2003, p. 83). One site described by Perkins was coastal 
habitat in Honolulu. Although the exact location is unknown, Honolulu 
coastal habitat has been completely developed for urban land use and 
there is no potentially suitable coastal habitat remaining in Honolulu 
for Hylaeus species. Perkins also described collecting Hylaeus species 
from mountains in Honolulu, and although the exact locations are 
unknown, these sites are presumed to be near known sites where he 
collected, including Waiolani Ridge, Lanihuli Ridge, Nuuanu Valley, and 
Konahuanui (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, p. 348). While these mountain 
areas are largely undeveloped, many are dominated by nonnative 
vegetation. Researchers have surveyed potentially suitable native 
habitat near Perkins' collection sites and found other species of 
Hylaeus, but not H. facilis (Daly and Magnacca 2003, pp. 217-229). 
Descriptions of the five remaining suitable habitats follow:
    (A) Makaha Valley: Perkins (1899) collected H. facilis at an 
elevation of 3,000 ft (900 m) in the upper part of Makaha Valley, on 
Oahu's northwest side. There have been no surveys for Hylaeus in this 
area since Perkins' collections, but researchers have observed this 
area now lacks suitable Hylaeus habitat due to development, 
urbanization, and conversion of native habitat to nonnative vegetation 
(Magnacca, pers. comm. 2008c). Some of the upper reaches of Makaha 
Valley contain patches of native vegetation, but much of the native 
vegetation has been destroyed by brush fires (Liebherr and Polhemus 
1997, p. 347).
    (B) Mount Kaala: Perkins (1899) collected Hylaeus facilis at 2,000 
ft (610 m) in elevation on Mt. Kaala, possibly within what is now Mt. 
Kaala NAR. This area is a mix of dry and mesic forest communities (DLNR 
1990, p. 3), and is generally characterized as predominantly native 
vegetation (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, p. 348). This area has not been 
extensively resurveyed for Hylaeus spp. because much of it is either 
inaccessible (due to either private or U.S. Army ownership), or too 
rugged in general, requiring a long and steep approach along the Dupont 
Trail on the north slope of Mt. Kaala.
    (C) Waianae Mountains: Perkins (1899) collected Hylaeus facilis in 
the Waianae Mountains, ``upland from Waianae'', likely in dry lowland 
forest, although the exact location is unknown. In 2008, researchers 
surveyed potentially suitable habitat in the Waianae-Kaala Forest 
Reserve (FR), but did not find H. facilis (Magnacca, pers. comm. July 
2008c).
    (D) Tantalus: Perkins collected Hylaeus facilis in lowland mesic 
habitat on ``Tantalus'' (Liebherr and Polhemus 1997, p. 348), which 
today is in close proximity to the urban core of Honolulu. This area is 
a mix of residential development and undeveloped sites dominated by 
nonnative plants, including various species of Phyllostachys spp. 
(bamboo), Acacia confusa (Formosa koa), Eucalyptus robusta (swamp 
mahogany), and Aleurites moluccana (kukui) (USDA 2001 https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/TANTALUS.html). Habitat 
dominated by nonnative plants does not support viable populations of 
Hylaeus, and no species have been reported from this area since 
Perkins' collections despite more recent surveys in the few small, 
widely separated areas containing native plant hab