Insect · GBIF taxon 1349739
Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee
Hylaeus anthracinusAlso known as Anthricinan Yellow-faced Bee
Hawaiian yellow-faced bees are solitary coastal pollinators uniquely adapted to Hawaii native shoreline vegetation. Females lack pollen baskets on their legs, carrying pollen and nectar inside a specialized crop before regurgitating it into nests lined with a waterproof, cellophane-like secretion. Today, loss of coastal habitat and pressure from invasive insects threaten these vital endemic pollinators.
EndemicPollinatorSolitary
Licensed referenceKevin Faccenda / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Pollen
Predators
- Invasive ants
- Non-native yellowjackets
- Spiders
ThreatsHabitat loss, invasive ants, introduced honeybees, and storm surges
HabitatsCoastal strand, rocky shorelines, and low-elevation dry shrublands
Life span1–2 months as adult
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColletidae
- SpeciesHylaeus anthracinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Females possess a small stinger; observe resting bees from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a tiny, slender black body 5 to 8 millimeters long featuring distinct yellow facial markings on males and small yellow eye spots on females.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly from marked trails, refrain from touching beach vegetation, and never attempt to capture or handle individuals.
Responsible observation
- Habitat Respect: Stay on established coastal trails to avoid stepping on underground or rock-crevice nests.
- Plant Choice: Look for foraging adults visiting native plants such as naupaka along sunny shorelines.
- Gentle Observation: Avoid sudden movements or swatting, as these tiny pollinators are skittish and harmless if undisturbed.
Host Plant no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Competitor Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Nigel Main, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nigel Main · cc-by
Close Relative
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