What invasive agents in Hawaii are responsible for raiding the small nests of native yellow-faced bees?
Answer
Non-native ants.
The conservation challenges facing endemic Hawaiian yellow-faced bees are severely compounded by the introduction of invasive species. A particularly damaging element is the presence of non-native ants. These ants pose a direct, aggressive threat to the survival of the native bee populations by raiding their small, hidden nests. Once inside, these ants consume the vital provisions—the stored liquid pollen mixture—or directly attack and consume the developing larvae, leading to a significant mortality rate for the next generation of *Hylaeus* bees.
Related Questions
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