NON-AVIAN
WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -NON-AVIAN
WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -
IN THE AIR
Thousands of Moths and Butterflies have been recorded in Hawai'i but very few are indigenous. The same is also true of Dragonflies and Damselflies, but it is still very much worth seeking them out, not only for their beauty but also because there may still be species undiscovered. Some species which have been widely imported, such as Monarch Butterflies, also are suspected of arriving here unaided once there were enough food plants for them to survive. The Hawaiian Hoary Bat arrived unaided, most likely from North America, and remains one of only two native land mammals, the other being the Hawaiian Monk Seal. (E = Endemic; I = Indigenous;* = Introduced species)
Many other native and introduced species occur in Hawai'i. A great guide to the native species which includes Butterflies, Moths, Spiders, Sandhoppers, Centipedes, Damselflies, Grasshoppers, Earwigs, Tree bugs, Leafhoppers, Beetles, Flies and Wasps amongst others, is Hawaiian Insects and their Kin by F.G. Howarth and W.P. Mull - well worth a look. For Damselflies, Hawaiian Damselflies by A. Asquith and D. Polhemus is a great photographic guide to most species. For common Butterflies and Moths try reading Hawai'i's Butterflies and Moths by D. Jamieson and J. Denny. (See the Recommended Reading Page).
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HAWAIIAN HOARY BAT (Lasirus cinereus semotus) E All Main Islands It is suspected that the number of bats has decreased in the past 100 years or so due to habitat loss, although
population numbers are not known. Other threats which affect the bats are the availability of roosting sites, pesticides
(directly and indirectly), predation, changes in the composition and availability of food, and roost disturbance. |
| KAMEHAMEHA
BUTTERFLY (Vanessa tameamea) E Kaua'i; O'ahu; Moloka'i; Lana'i; Hawai'i A Hawaiian endemic and often the only endemic butterfly likely to be seen by visitors. This species is similar to the Red Admiral, which has been introduced in various locations in Hawai'i. The species can be observed on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawai'i in upland forests and clearings. On Kaua'i the species is quite numerous in Waimea Canyon State Park, Koke'e State Park and the Alakai Swamp. The lookouts at both the Waimea Canyon overlook and Pu'u Hina'hina overlook are usually reliable sites. The species feeds on native nettles when in the larval stage and adults are particularly attracted to sap from trees, especially Koa. This is one of only two endemic Hawaiian butterflies. |
| BLACKBURN
BUTTERFLY (Udara blackburni) E All Main Islands This is the second of Hawai'i's native butterflies and can be found from Kaua'i to the Big Island from the coast to alpine areas, but can often be difficult to locate and can sometimes be confused with introduced species. The species is a fast and erratic flier and feeds on several species of plant including native legumes, soapberries, Koa and 'a'ali'i. |
| BLACKBURN'S
SPHINX MOTH (Manduca blackburni) E Maui; Kaho'olawe; Hawai'i.  A Hawaiian
endemic originally found from Kaua'i to Hawai'i, but now only found on Maui, Kaho'olawe and
Hawai'i. It is a close relative of the North American Tomato Hornworm and the larva feed on Solanaceae.
The species has recently been listed, due to its range contraction and population decline.Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth is Hawai`i’s largest native insect, with a wing span of up to 5 inches (12 centimeters). Like other sphinx moths, it has long, narrow forewings and a thick, spindle shaped body tapered at both ends. It is grayish brown in color with black bands across the top margins of the hindwings and five orange spots along each side of the abdomen. The large caterpillars occur in two color morphs, bright green or gray with scattered white speckles throughout the back and a horizontal white stripe on the side margin of each segment. Adult Blackburn's Sphinx Moth photo © Betsy Gagne. Historical records of this species are mostly from coastal, lowland, and dryland forests in areas receiving less than 50 inches (120 centimeters) of rainfall, though they have been collected from sea level to 2,500 feet (760 meters). It was most common historically on Maui. Larvae of Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth feed on native `aiea trees (consuming leaves, stems, flowers, and buds) and other plants in the nightshade family. However, many of the host plants recorded for the species are not native to the Hawaiian Islands, and include tree tobacco, commercial tobacco, and tomato plants. Development from egg to adult can take as little as 56 days, but pupae may aestivate (dormancy during a period when conditions are hot and dry) in the soil for as long as a year. Adult moths can be found year round but seem to be most active during two periods, January to April and September to November. Adult moths are strong fliers. Once found on six Hawaiian islands, the moth now exists only on Maui, Kaho`olawe, and the island of Hawai`i. They were believed extinct until 1984 when a small population was rediscovered in a lowland dry forest on the south coast of East Maui (Kanaio area). Additional small isolated populations are now known from other parts of Maui. Populations were recently discovered on Kaho`olawe (the first record of this species on this island) in 1997 and in 1998 in North Kona on the island of Hawai`i. Threats to Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth include introduced ants and parasitic wasps that prey on the eggs and caterpillars, and the loss of its native host plant, `aiea, which is a dryland forest tree.  The native host
plant is found in endangered ecosystems, dry and mesic forests, and has been adversely affected by feral animals,
alien plant invasions, and habitat conversions associated with development. Ants are not a natural component of
Hawai`i’s arthropod fauna and they are particularly destructive due to their high densities, aggressiveness, and
broad range of diet. A high percentage of the eggs of the sphinx moth are destroyed by alien parasitoid wasps and
ants. In addition, the moth is also susceptible to over collection by individuals for their personal collections
or for trade. Because the remaining populations are small and restricted, the potential for extinction from a chance
event, such a fire or a hurricane, is greatly increased.Blackburn's Sphinx Moth Caterpillar photo © Betsy Gagne. This native Hawaiian moth is the first Hawaiian insect to be added to the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service is currently funding research examining the life history, captive rearing, and conservation biology of the sphinx moth. Additionally, the Service is currently a partner in a dry forest restoration project on State lands in the same area that the North Kona population of the moth occurs. The Kanaha Pond Sanctuary dune restoration project is currently being modified to include planting of the native host plant since sphinx moth larvae were recently observed on plants in the sand dune area in the Sanctuary. The military uses part of the general area where the East Maui population occurs for training and has adopted measures to prevent fires, alien seed dispersal, and vegetation damage as a result of training. While no conservation efforts specifically for the moth are currently underway on Kaho`olawe, the State, the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission, and the U.S. Navy are aware of the presence of this species and have sponsored surveys to identify the distribution of the moth on the accessible parts of the island. Additional information supplied from USFWS website. Link: Blackburn's Sphinx Moth |
| FABULOUS
GREEN SPHINX MOTH (Tinostoma
smaragditis) E Kaua'i Found only on Kaua'i in the Koke'e region, this rare and little-known moth has only been seen a few times in the last century, with several being trapped and examined. It is a few inches long and a pale green color. The species flies at night in forested areas and small forest clearings, especially on the Western side of the Koke'e area. It is unclear at present what the host plant is for the species, and the larvae have yet to be observed. No specific sites are listed for two reasons: firstly the species is under threat from collection and habitat destruction and secondly, simply the fact that there are no specific reliable sites yet known for the species! Photographs of the species can be found in Hawai'i's Butterflies and Moths by D. Jamieson and J. Denny. |
| BLACK WITCH
MOTH (Ascalapha odorata)
* All Main Islands  This large dark brown moth (the largest noctuid moth in Hawai'i) is found on all the
Main Islands and can be expected in both lowland and upland areas. The wingspan is about 5 inches and the
moths fly erratically and swiftly. They can sometimes be found resting on tree trunks, under the roof of buildings,
under rock overhangs, or anywhere that provides a dry roosting spot. When disturbed the species will often fly
off at great speed far from the original flushing site. The photo to the right shows a rather worn male, the females
being slightly brighter. Introduced to Hawai'i from Asia. |
| DAMSELFLIES (Megalagrion
spp.) E Various species on All Main Islands  There
are 23 endemic Damselflies in Hawai'i of the Megalagrion family and eight or more introduced species. Different
native species are found on each of the six largest Main Hawaiian Islands, with some occurring on more than
one. Most are endangered due to introduced fishes, stream pollution, stream diversion and blockage and loss of
habitat, but several are still easily seen along undisturbed streams and upland waterways. All are predatory. Many
species have been introduced as well and these can often be observed in lowland areas in streams, rivers, ponds
and reservoirs and are much more numerous than the endemic species, as they are naturally more prepared to cope
with introduced species and habitat change. A great book on Damselflies is Hawaiian Damselflies - A field identification
guide by A. Asquith and D. Polhemus, it is full of great photographs and range maps .
Photo of male Megalagrion nigrohamatum nigrohamatum from Maui © by Dan Polhemus.Link: Megalagrion Damselflies It is beyond the scope of this site to describe all the different native damselflies and their distribution, and their identification from introduced species and so the aforementioned book is the best guide to them for the serious enthusiast and is available from Bishop Museum Press and good book stores in Hawai'i. For purchase outside Hawai'i the ISBN is 0-930897-91-9; the ISSN is 0067-6179. Bishop Museum Press, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA 96817-0916 |
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DRAGONFLIES (Odonata
spp.) E ; * Endemic Dragonflies tend to be seen more often in the higher elevation forests and bogs and also tend to be scarcer than the introduced species. The most likely species to be observed is the large blue-coloured Hawaiian Giant Darner (Anax strenuus), which can frequently be seen flying over forests and roadsides. Other species which may be encountered are Blackburn's Skimmer (Nesogonia blackburni) (below left and right).
Blackburn's Skimmer (Nesogonia blackburni) on Kaua'i, Autumn 2002. Photograph © David Kuhn. Introduced Dragonfly species can easily and regularly be observed in many different habitats and locations across
the Islands and some of the most frequently seen ones include:
Giant Hawaiian Darner (Anax strenuus) Endemic Common Green Darner (Anax junius) Indigenous Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) Indigenous Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenea) *Introduced. Native
to US mainland. Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) *Introduced. Native
to Latin America. Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) *Introduced. Native to Japan Vermilion Saddlebags (Tramea abdominalis) *Introduced. Native
to Latin America. |
