Longhead yellow-faced bee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longhead yellow-faced bee |
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The Hylaeus longiceps is a special kind of bee. People also call it the longhead yellow-faced bee or Hawaiian yellow-faced bee. This bee lives only in Hawaii. It's quite rare, found in just six places. In September 2016, this bee became the first bee species in the United States to be protected by law. This means it's an endangered species.
What Does the Longhead Yellow-Faced Bee Look Like?
This bee is black. It has wings that look a bit smoky. Its head is longer than usual. Male bees have a yellow band on their face. Female bees are completely black.
This bee is a solitary bee. This means each female bee builds her own nest. She does not live in a big group like honeybees. The female bee lays her eggs in a nest. She finds ready-made spaces for her nest. These can be in the ground or under tree bark. She does not dig the nest herself.
The female bee lines the nest with a special film. This film is a liquid she produces. Then, she puts a mix of nectar and pollen inside. This food is for the baby bees, called larvae, when they hatch. Adult bees drink nectar for their food. Many Hylaeus bees, including this one, carry pollen in their stomachs. They do not use a special pollen basket on their legs, called a scopa, like some other bees.
This bee visits several native Hawaiian plants. These include Scaevola coriacea, Sida fallax, Sesbania tomentosa, Myoporum sandwicense, Santalum ellipticum, and Vitex rotundifolia.
Where Do These Bees Live?
The longhead yellow-faced bee lives near the coast. It prefers dry, shrubby areas at low elevations. There are three groups of these bees on the island of Lanai. There is one group each on Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. We do not know exactly how many bees are in each group.
Much of the bee's natural home has been changed. People have built things or damaged the land. This means the plants the bees need to survive no longer grow there.
Why Are These Bees Endangered?
The biggest danger to these bees is losing their homes. Their habitat has been damaged in many ways. New buildings and towns have taken over their land. Plants and animals that are not native to Hawaii have also caused problems. Farming, outdoor activities, and fires have also harmed their homes. Even natural events like hurricanes can threaten their habitat.
These bees, along with other rare Hylaeus bees, used to be common across Hawaii. Now, they are much harder to find.
