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Native
Animals: Insects and Snails
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When we talk about native animals,
most people don't give insects very much attention or respect.
However, Hawai'i has the most spectacular evolved native
insect faunas (animal groups) on Earth, with an estimated
10,000 native species - 95% of which are endemic. Insects were
significant in Hawaiian culture. Some served as food, dragonfly
nymphs were used in rituals, and certain insects were honored
as 'aumakua (spirit guardians). (Atlas of Hawai'i) |
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Insects and Snails uses text and photos
from the Atlas
of Hawai‘i Third Edition by Sonia
P. Juvik; James O. Juvik and Thomas R. Paradise. It also relies
on Feathered
Gods and Fishhooks by Patrick V. Kirch. |
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The endemic predatory caterpillar Eupithecia staurophragma,
eating an endemic pomace fly.
Photo by W. Mull Used with permission |
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Dragonfly - of all the insects
that dispersed
to the islands, only the damselfly and the
dragonfly did not evolve flightless forms.
Photo by Dan Petr |
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Damselfy
Photo by Dan Petr
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Pomace Fly
- with nearly 1000 endemic species, the Hawaiian pomace
flies
rival the other native animals in adaptive
vigor. Photo by W. Mull. Used with permission |
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Koa Bug - the koa bug
is the
largest and most noticeable
native true bug. Its hosts are koa
and 'a'ali'i. (Atlas of Hawai'i) Photo by W. Mull.
Used with permission. |
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The insect faunas
of Hawai'i, like the other native plants and animals,
are undergoing major changes. These changes are a result
of invasive alien species and the alteration of habitat
by human activities. There is still a widespread lack
of knowledge about the biology of native insect species.
(Atlas of Hawai'i) |
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| If insects get no respect,
then what do Hawaiian land and tree
snails get? Extinct!
Out of over 1000 endemic species, most native Hawaiian snails
are now extinct. The native Hawaiian land and tree are inconspicuous
by choice, with the only exception being the kahuli or
pupu kanioe, the "singing snails of legends".
However, these were not known to live in the ahupua'a of Nawiliwili
Bay. A long juvenile (immature) life and low birthrate have
made the remaining native land snails vulnerable to alien threats
and loss of habitat. (Atlas of Hawai'i) |
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Above, dune remains of native snails
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One promising archaeological technique uses the remains of very
small land snails excavated from archaeological sites to get
valuable clues about the change in local environments over time.(Patrick
V. Kirch) |
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Photo by David Boynton
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Today, the main threats to native
animals are alien species and the loss of habitat. |
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Map and chart from Atlas of Hawai'i |
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at risk vs. not at
risk
endemic species |
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| Our tour of native
animals in the ahupua'a of Nawiliwili Bay would not be
complete without a visit to the native
stream animals. "Ono, though,
whenever you eat em, ono--tasty. I put in a bit of salt,
and ti leaf. Oh, that aroma is something, that taste!"
(from Pacific World's Ha'ena by RDK Herman)
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