Fijian Hylaeus bees show 99 percent population decline since European colonization
A new study published in Ecology and Evolution reports that a native Fijian bee species has suffered a 99 percent effective population decline over the last 150 years.
Discovery of small canopy dwellers
Researchers discovered six Hylaeus species endemic to Fiji in 2024 after routinely sampling treetops. These native bees average about 3.9 mm in length and live where they feed and reproduce. The team notes that these small-bodied insects carry pollen internally.
Timing of the dramatic drop
The study indicates this species has experienced a dramatic decline over the last 150 years. That time span coincides with European colonization of the islands. Habitat loss and pesticide use are global concerns affecting pollinators like bees.
Specialization on red flowers
The bees appear to exhibit specialization on red-flower canopy plants found in their habitat. This finding challenges historical assumptions that bees cannot see the color red. The species represents an extreme case of population decline among pollinators.
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