Anthricinan yellow-faced bee

Description

Hylaeus anthracinus is a species of bee, also known by the common name anthricinan yellow-faced bee. It is endemic to Hawaii and known from only 16 populations. In September 2016, along with six other Hawaiian Hylaeus species, H. anthracinus was listed for protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. This marked a first listing for any bee species in the US. Hylaeus anthracinus is colored black and of medium size. Its legs are black and the wings are clearish. Males have a large facial yellow spot whereas females are completely black. Hylaeus anthracinus is found in coastal and lowland dry forest. Populations are now only known from the islands of Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. Threats to the species include habitat degradation by nonnative animals and plants, predation by nonnative insects, fires and climate change. Hylaeus is a large (over 500 species) and diverse cosmopolitan genus within the bee family Colletidae. This genus is also known as the yellow-faced bees or masked bees. This genus is the only truly globally distributed colletid, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. The genus of bees consists of generally small, black and yellow/white wasp-like species. The resemblance to wasps is enhanced by the absence of a scopa, which is atypical among bees. The body form of this genus is described as hylaeiform - slender, the hairs inconspicuous without magnification; scopa inconspicuous or absent. Males have an intermediate glossal shape with a small to distinct median apical glossal point. Hylaeus carry pollen in the crop, rather than externally, and regurgitate it into the cell where it will be used as larval food. Like most colletids, the liquid provisions are sealed inside a membranous cellophane-like cell lining. Nests are typically in dead twigs or plant stems, or other similarly small natural cavities, rather than constructing or excavating their own nests as in many other bees. Some species of Hylaeus have been associated with strong scents. In particular, European species such as Hylaeus prosopis are characterised by having a strong "lemon-like" scent. Further investigation has attributed this scent to a substance generated by the manibular glands of both males and females, composed of neral and geranial. It is believed this substance is used as a defensive secretion and/or a social pheromone.