Tag Archives: Hawaii

Tetramolopium conyzoides (A. Gray) Hillebr.

Horseweed-like Pamakani (Tetramolopium conyzoides)

This species is an upright shrub with copious pubescence, it was found on the islands of Hawai’i, Lana’i, Maui and Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands but is thought to be extinct now.

It was probably restricted to dry forests which are now largely destroyed by introduced ungulates. [1]

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References:

[1] Timothy K. Lowrey: A biosystematic revision of Hawaiian Tetramolopium (Compositae: Astereae). Allertonia 4: 325-339. 1986

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edited: 15.01.2019

Hemignathus sp. ‘Hawaii Nukupuu’

Hawaii Nukupuu (Hemignathus sp.)

The island of Hawai’i today is the home of the Akiapolaau (Hemignathus wilsoni (Rothschild)) (see depiction below), the last of the so-called hetero-billed finches, a group of Hawaiian drepenidine finches with extremely strange bills in which the lower beak is short and, depending on the species, curved up- or downwards, and the upper beak significantly longer and down curved.

This species is depicted below.

The island of Hawai’i, however, once also harbored at least two other hetero-billed finch species, namely the so-called Giant Nukupuu (Hemignathus vorpalis Olson & James), known only by subfossil remains, and the ‘actual’ Nukupuu (Hemignathus aff. lucidus), which is known by a single historical specimen, and which most certainly represented a full and endemic species.

More about this enigmatic form follows below.:

***

Hemignathus lucidus subspp. indet.

A historic specimen of this species, of indeterminate race, was collected on the island of Hawaii by the U.S. Exploring Expedition in 1840 or 1841, but the species was never again taken on that island. A fossil almost certainly of this species was also recovered from sand dune deposits on Molokai.
” [2]

The authors treat all Nukupuu forms as a single species, thus this somewhat misleading statement –  the fossil from Moloka’i, of course, is more closely related to the Maui Nukupuu (Hemignathus affinis Rothschild) from Maui.

This sole Hawaii Nukupuu specimen very likely constitutes a sub-adult individual, its plumage appearing to had been in the stage of molting into a yellower garb; the dorsum, the crown and the wings are dull olive with a grayish cast; the underparts are creamy whitish; yellow feathers appear on the lower cheeks and on the midline of the throat and the sides of the upper breast, forming a sort of inverted Y; it also had a faint yellow superciliary line. [1]

This is perhaps one of the most enigmatic of the many Hawaiian drepanidine finches and is shows that these islands have lost an unimaginable precious treasure trove of diversity!

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Akiapolaau (Hemignathus wilsoni)

Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’      

(public domain)

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References:

[1] Storrs Olson & Helen F. James: A specimen of Nuku pu’u (Aves: Drepanidini: Hemignathus lucidus) from the island of Hawai’i. Pacific Science 48(4): 331-338. 1994
[2] Storrs Olson & Helen F. James: Nomenclature of the Hawaiian Akialoas and Nukupuus (Aves: Drepanidini). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 108(3): 373-387. 1995

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edited: 09.10.2020

Amastra umbilicata ssp. pluscula Cooke

Kaupulehu Amastra Snail (Amastra umbilicata ssp. pluscula)

The Kaupulehu Amastra Snail, described in 1917, is known from subfossil material that was found at Ka’ūpūlehu at elevations of about 5500 m above sea level in northern Kona on the island of Hawai’i.

This species is very common in its fossil state along the government road between Waimea and North Kona. A number of the specimens have such a fresh appearence [sic] that it does not seem possible that they have been very long dead. Most of the specimens were found in earth under lava blocks. It differs principally from A. ultima by its larger size and less convex whorls. This varietly differs from typical A. umbilicata morticina not only by its larger umbilicus but also by its proportionally wider and larger aperture which is not distinctly angled below, and is much less developed columellar fold.” [1]

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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edited: 04.05.2022

Cyanea copelandii ssp. copelandii Rock

Copeland’s Cyanea (Cyanea copelandii ssp. copelandii)

Copeland’s Cyanea is an epiphytic species that once inhabited the rainforests of at least two of the Hawai’i Islands, namely Hawai’i and Maui, with its own endemic subspecies on each of the islands. 

The nominate form once occurred on the southeastern slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawai’i, where it was last found in 1957. It is now considered extinct. 

The Maui Island subspecies, Cyanea copelandii ssp. haleakalaensis (H. St. John) Lammers, is itself threatened with extinction.

***

syn. Cyanea crispihirta E. Wimm., Delissea crispihirta (E. Wimm.) H. St. John


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Photo from: ‘Joseph F. Rock: A monographic study of the Hawaiian species of the tribe Lobelioideae, Family Campanulaceae. Memoirs of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum of Polynesian Ethnology and Natural History 7: 1-394. 1918’ 

(public domain)

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edited: 27.04.2012

Amastra fragosa Cooke

Uneven Amastra Snail (Amastra fragosa)

The Uneven Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it is known from (sub)fossil remains that had been recovered from Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene deposits near Ka’ūpūlehu, in Kona, Hawai’i.

The shells reached average sizes of 1,1 to 1,3 cm in height.

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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edited: 16.05.2022

Rhodacanthis palmeri Rothschild

Greater Koa-Finch (Rhodacanthis palmeri)

The Greater Koa Finch, named hopue by the native Hawaiians, was already nearly extinct when it was discovered by European ornithologists.

The species originally inhabited dry lowland forests that were dominated by the endemic koa acacias (Acacia koa A. Gray) whose seed pods and seeds apparently were its main food source, it furthermore fed on the seeds of the native ‘a’ali’i (Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.) and caterpillars. Most of the lowland forests had already been destroyed by the Hawaiian natives long before the first European settlers arrived, and the finches were restricted to the small remains in the northern Kona District in the western part of Hawai’i.

***

When alive, Greater Koa Finch was by far the largest of the Hawaiian endemic drepanidine finches; it reached a size of 23 cm; the males had bright scarlet-orange heads and breasts, while the females were more or less completely plain green colored.

***

syn. Loxioides kona Greenway, Psittiacirostra palmeri (Rothschild), Psittirostra palmeri (Rothschild), Telespiza palmeri (Rothschild)

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References:

[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005

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Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’      

(public domain)

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edited: 07.10.2020

Amastra flavescens ssp. saxicola Baldwin

Southern Yellowish Amastra Snail (Amastra flavescens ssp. saxicola)

The Southern Yellowish Amastra Snail is a form of the Yellowish Amastra Snail (Amastra flavescens(Newcomb)), from the far south of the island of Hawai’i, it was found on an ancient aa (lava) flow at the foothills of the Mauna Lao volcano in the Ka’u District.

This form differs from the nominate race by its more convex whorls of which the last one is rounded peripherally. [1]

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References:

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol. 23: Appendix to Amastridae. Tornatellinidae. Index, vols. XXI-XXIII. 1915-1916

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edited: 15.06.2020

Fletcherana giffardi (Swezey)

Giffard’s Geometer Moth (Fletcherana giffardi)

Giffard’s Geometer Moth was described in 1913; it seems to have been restricted to the slopes of the Kīlauea volcano on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species has a wingspan of about 2.4 cm; the head and the thorax are white, slightly mixed with fuscous, the palpi and the antennae are pale ochreous; the abdomen is fusco-cinereous, the segmental margins are white; the forewings are white with a few scattered fuscous scales and are much strigulated with fuscous, the median band has nearly straight anterior and posterior edges and is marked with blackish lines, the anterior line is discontinued between the cell and the costa, the discal dot is round and black; the hind wings are similar to the forewings but with less distinct strigulations.

This species was not found during recent searches and is thought to be extinct.

***

syn. Hydriomena giffardi Swezey

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References:

[1] Jon G. Griffin: A comparison of moth diversity at Kilauea (1911-1912) and upper Waiakea Forest Reserve (1998-2000), island of Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 39: 15-26. 2007

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edited: 15.01.2024

Rhodacanthis flaviceps Rothschild

Lesser Koa-Finch (Rhodacanthis flaviceps)

The Lesser Koa Finch was already almost extinct when it was discovered by European ornithologists in 1892; it was only found only once, in its type locality, a place called Pu’u Lehua in the lowlands of the northern Kona District almost in the middle of the western coast of Hawai’i.

It was found in mixed flocks with Greater Koa-Finches (Rhodacanthis palmeri Rothschild) feeding on the seeds of koa acacias (Acacia koa A. Gray), eight specimens were taken back than by bird collectors, which did not recognize that they were dealing with two distinct species at that time. [1]

***

The species reached a size of about 19 cm; males had bright yellow heads and bellies, while females were nearly completely green colored. [1]

***

The Lesser Koa-Finch was never found again since, so was probably extinct already shortly after. [1]

***

syn. Loxioides flaviceps (Rothschild), Psittiacirostra flaviceps (Rothschild), Psittirostra flaviceps (Rothschild), Telespiza flaviceps (Rothschild)

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Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’ 

(public domain)

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References:

[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005

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edited: 07.10.2020

Banza sp. ‘Hawai’i’

Giant Hawaiian Katydid (cf. Banza sp.)

Hawaiian tradition tells us of a large cricket-like insect, called ‘uhini pa’awela, that lived in the Ka’u District of the island of Hawai’i, and which was a favorite food among the natives until the late 1800s – a few of these animals roasted on a skewer provided a full meal.

There are no surviving specimens of that species, and it is speculated that it was a large cricket, perhaps a Banza or Thaumatogryllus sp.. [1]

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References:

[1] F. G. Howarth; W. P. Mull: Hawaiian Insects and their kin. University of Hawaii Press 1992

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edited: 15.01.2019

Apetasimus atratus (Scott)

Blackish Sap Beetle (Apetasimus atratus)

The Blackish Sap Beetle was described in 1908; it was found on the Haleakala region on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands, but is also known to have occurred on the islands of Hawai’i and Moloka’i too.

The species reached a length of about 0,45 to 0,56 cm; it was dark, nearly black in color with some brick red areas on the elytra that were limited to the elytra’s bases, the antennae and legs were red to dark brown in color. [1]

***

Like all members of its group, this species lived under the bark of decaying koa trees (Acacia koa A. Gray), a habitat that now has been overtaken by introduced terrestrial isopods, leading to the extinction of this, and many other endemic invertebrate species. [1]

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References:

[1] Curtis Ewing: Revision of the endemic Hawaiian sap beetle genus Apetasimus Sharp 1908 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Zootaxa 1385: 1-30. 2006

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edited: 0.2.06.2021

Lyropupa truncata Cooke

Truncated Lyropupa Snail (Lyropupa truncata)

This species was described in 1908, it was endemic to the Kohala Volcano in the northern part of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells were very distinct, they were covered with transverse striae that were strongly developed, with cuticular margins which could very easily be broken, they reached sizes of about 0,26 cm in length. 

***

According to a study from 2018, sadly all Hawaiian species of the genus Lyropupa are now extinct. [2]

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke Jr.: A new species of Lyropupa. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(2): 211-212. 1908
[2] Norine W. Yeung; Kenneth A. Hayes: Biodiversity and extinction of Hawaiian land snails: how many are left now and what must we do to conserve them – a reply to. Integrative and Comparative Biology 58(6): 1157-1169. 2018

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Depiction from: ‘C. Montague Cooke Jr.: A new species of Lyropupa. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(2): 211-212. 1908’

(public domain)

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edited: 08.05.2019

Apetasimus sordidus (Sharp)

Dirty Sap Beetle (Apetasimus sordidus)

The Dirty Sap Beetle was described in 1881; it was restricted to the slopes of the Mauna Loa on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species reaches a length of about 0,46 to 0,55 cm; it was dark brown to black, with the elytra having brick red markings. [1]

***

Like all members of its group, this species lived under the bark of decaying koa trees (Acacia koa A. Gray), a habitat that now has been overtaken by introduced terrestrial isopods, leading to the extinction of this, and many other endemic invertebrate species. [1]

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References:

[1] Curtis Ewing: Revision of the endemic Hawaiian sap beetle genus Apetasimus Sharp 1908 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Zootaxa 1385: 1-30. 2006

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edited: 02.06.2021

Hylaeus gliddenae Magnacca & Daly

Glidden’s Masked Bee (Hylaeus gliddenae 

This species was described in 2003 based on a single (?) specimen, a male that had been collected sometimes in the early 20th century at an not further specified locality on the Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawai’i.

The species is known to have nested in the burrows left behind by the larvae of beetles from the genus Halcobius in the stems of kolea (Myrsine spp.).

The species differs from nearly all others by its red metasoma (the posterior part of the body), which it shares only with the Paradox Masked Bee (Hylaeus paradoxus (Schrottky)), and by its somewhat u-shaped facial markings. [1]

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References:

[1] Howell V. Daly; Elwood Curtin Zimmerman; Karl N. Magnacca: ‘Insects of Hawaii; Volume 17; Hawaiian Hylaeus (Nesoprosopis) Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea). 2003

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edited: 12.06.2020

Apetasimus guttatus (Sharp)

Speckled Sap Beetle (Apetasimus guttatus)

The Speckled Sap Beetle was described in 1881; it was apparently found near the city of Honolulu on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, but is otherwise also known to have occurred on the island of Hawai’i.

The species reached a length of about 0,52 to 0,61 cm; it was brick red to nearly blackish, with some pale yellow to orange-red markings. [1]

***

The Speckled Sap Beetle was living subcortical in the wood of decaying koa trees (Acacia koa A. Gray); this microhabitat was severely disrupted on all of the Hawaiian main islands by the introduction of terrestrial isopods, leading to the disappearance of nearly all invertebrates that shared the same modus vivendi. [1]

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References:

[1] Curtis Ewing: Revision of the endemic Hawaiian sap beetle genus Apetasimus Sharp 1908 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Zootaxa 1385: 1-30. 2006

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edited: 02.06.2021

Leptachatina anceyana Cooke

Ancey’s Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina anceyana)

This species was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reach heights of about 0.5 cm; since they are only known based on subfossil remains, the original color is not known.

A small species unlike anything from Hawaii. … The surface is minutely and very closely striate with lines of growth. This species is rather abundant in the fossil deposits explored by Dr. Henshaw in Mana.

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’   

(public domain)

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References:   

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911

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edited: 14.01.2024

Ciridops anna (Dole)

Ula Ai Hawane (Ciridops anna)

The Ula Ai Hawane was described in 1879, the species is historically known for certain only from the island of Hawai’i, however, it is possible that two of the five existing specimens were collected on the island of Moloka’i (these two are of a supposed female and a likewise supposed immature male (see depiction below)). [2]

The species reached a size of about 11 to 12 cm; the males had a light grey head and neck, a black breast and a bright red rump, the wings were black and red as well, with the outer webs of the tertials white; the females were olive green and brown in color. [4]

Since the only two specimens that possibly come from Moloka’i differ from the other three, they might as well be interpreted as a distinct subspecies. 

***

The Hawaiian name ʻula-ʻai-hāwane means “red eating hawane”, hawane are the fruits of the endemic lo’ulu palms (Pritchardia spp.). The birds were only ever found near the lo’ulu palms and are thought to have fed on their flowers and fruits or perhaps on insects hiding in the leaf axilles. [3]

***

Subfossil remains found on Moloka’i were also assigned to this species, however, it is definitely possible that the Moloka’ian birds differed from the Hawaiians at the subspecies level. [1]

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References:

[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
[2] Storrs L. Olson: William T. Brigham’s Hawaiian birds and a possible historical record of Ciridops anna (Aves: Drepanidini) from Molokai. Pacific Scenice 46(4): 495-500. 1992
[3] H. D. Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford University Press 2005
[4] Storrs L. Olson: History, structure, evolution, behaviour, distribution, and ecology of the extinct Hawaiian genus Ciridops (Fringillidae, Carduelini, Drepanidini). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(4): 651-674. 2012

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Depiction from: ‘Scott B. Wilson; A. H. Wilson; Frederick William Frohawk; Hans Gadow: Aves Hawaiienses: the birds of the Sandwich Islands. London: R. H. Porter 1890-1899’

(not in copyright)

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edited: 18.10.2020

Omiodes giffardi Swezey

Giffard’s Leaf-roller (Omiodes giffardi)

Giffard’s Leaf-roller was described in 1921, the species was restricted to the slopes of the Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species reached a wingspan of about 2,5 cm.

The caterpillars fed on the native grass Ohe (Isachne distichophylla Munro ex Hillebr.). [1]

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References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958

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edited: 23.09.2019

Amastra pagodula Cooke

Pagoda-shaped Amastra Snail (Amastra pagodula)

The Pagoda-shaped Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it is known only from (sub)fossil remains that were recovered from late Pleistocene/early Holocene deposits at Pu’u Wa’awa’a, an ancient cinder cone in Kona on the island of Hawai’i.

The shells reached average sizes of 0,8 to about 1 cm in height.

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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edited: 04.05.2022

Hyles hawaiiensis (Rothschild & Jordan)

Hawaiian Sphinx Moth (Hyles hawaiiensis)

The Hawaiian Sphinx Moth was originally thought to be a subspecies of the Maui-nui Sphinx Moth (Hyles calida (Butler)) which itself occurs on the islands of Lana’i, Maui, Moloka’i and O’ahu; the population of the island of Kaua’i is now known to constitute another, not yet described, distinct species. [1]

The moth reaches a wingspan of slightly over 6 cm, males and females are superficially identical.

The larvae of these genus were thought to be quite polyphagous, however, it is now known that they feed exclusively on the endemic members of the Coffee family (Rubiaceae) including Bobea spp., Coprosma spp.Gardenia spp.Kadua spp., and Psychotria spp..

***

The Hawaiian Sphinx Moth has not been recorded in recent years and is now believed to be extinct. 

***

syn. Celeria calida ssp. hawaiiensis Rothschild & Jordan, Hawaiiana calida ssp. hawaiiensis (Rothschild & Jordan), Hyles calida ssp. hawaiiensis (Rothschild & Jordan)

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Photo: The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7; Macrlepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958
[2] Daniel Rubinoff; Michael San Jose; Anna K. Hundsdoerfer: Cryptic diversity in a vagile Hawaiian moth group suggests cmplex factors drive diversification. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 152. 2020

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edited: 04.11.2020

Amastra modicella Cooke

Small-sized Amastra Snail (Amastra modicella)

This species was described in 1917; it was found at elevations of 1828 m north-western Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells of this species reached average sizes of about 0,96 cm length.

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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edited: 04.05.2022

Cookeconcha paucilamellata (Ancey)

Hamakua Cookeconcha Snail (Cookeconcha paucilamellata)  

The Hamakua Cookeconcha Snail was described in 1904, originally as a ‘variety’ of another species, the Mountain Cookeconcha Snail (Cookeconcha hystricella (Pfeiffer)) from the island of O’ahu, one of probably only three species of this genus still surviving.

However, this species originates from the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hawai’i itself, were it apparently inhabited the forest floor of the rainforest at the slopes of Mauna Kea. [1]

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References:  

[1] Alan Solem: Endodontoid land snails from Pacific Islands (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Sigmurethra). Part I, Family Endodontidae. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, Illinois 1976  

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Depiction from: ‘C. F. Ancey: Report on semi-fossil land shells found in the Hamakua District, Hawaii. The Journal of Malacology 11: 65-74. 1904’

(public domain)

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edited: 13.06.2020

Branta rhuax (Wetmore)

Giant Nene (Branta rhuax)

The Giant Nene was already described in 1943, its remains were found in 1926 at a depth of 25 m under a lava flow near a place named Kaumaike’ohu in the Ka’u District on the island of Hawai’i; it was actually the first fossil bird described from the Hawaiian Islands.

This form has widely been synonymized with a very large goose, that is known from subfossil remains also found on Hawai’i Island.

The Giant Nene was the largest member of the large Hawaiian goose radiation, it was more than twice the size of the still living Nene (Branta sandvicensis (Vigors)).

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References:

[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991

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edited: 05.05.2022

Amastra flavescens (Newcomb)

Yellowish Amastra Snail (Amastra flavescens)

The Yellowish Amastra Snail is, or rather was, endemic to the island of Hawai’, Hawaiian Islands, it is believed to have been quite widespread with several populations occurring in nearly all forested areas of the island. [1]

The shells reached sizes of about 1,5 to 1,6 cm in heigth.

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References:

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol. 23: Appendix to Amastridae. Tornatellinidae. Index, vols. XXI-XXIII. 1915-1916

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol. 23: Appendix to Amastridae. Tornatellinidae. Index, vols. XXI-XXIII. 1915-1916’

(public domain)

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edited: 15.06.2020

Amastra viriosa Cooke

Robust Amastra Snail (Amastra viriosa)

The Robust Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was found in the forests on the mountain slopes along the western coast of Hawai’i Island.

A. viriosa is unlike any species so far reported from Hawaii. Its nearest relative is probably the extinct A. senilis from Waimea. The latter is a larger species, much more roughly sculptured and has a larger perforation, besides being much broader in proportion to its length.” [1]

The shells reached average sizes of about 2 cm in height.

The species was found alive but was apparently already on the brink of extinction at that time.

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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edited: 04.05.2022

Agrotis panoplias Meyrick

Kona Cutworm (Agrotis panoplias 

The Kona Cutworm was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, where it obviously was restricted to the Kona district.  

The species reached a wingspan of ca. 3,8 cm.  The biology of this species is not known.  

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References:  [1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  

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Depiction from: ‘George F. Hampson: Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum. London: Printed by Order of the Trustees 1898-1919’  

(public domain)

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edited: 07.04.2018

Amastra conica Baldwin

Conical Amastra Snail (Amastra conica)

The Conical Amastra Snail was described 1906, it was endemic to the Hamakua Distict in the northern part of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

***

Shell fossil, dextral, minutely perforated, thin, elongately conical, apex acute; surface sculptured with fine growth-lines, apical whorls raidiately sulcated. Color of living shell unknown.” [1]

This species apparently disappeared already at the beginning of the Holocene era.

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References:

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 15.06.2020

Zapornia sp. ‘Hawai’i’ 1

Small Hawaii Crake (Zapornia sp.)  

This form is known from several subfossil remains that had been recovered from a site at Mauna Kea on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands, at an elevation of 1450.  

The Small Hawaii Crake falls within the size range of the Hawaiian Crake (Zapornia sandwichensis (Gmelin)) and may in fact turn out to be identical with that species. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] Storrs L. Olson & Helen F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes. In: Ornithological Monographs 45. 1991  

*********************  

edited: 20.03.2018

Leptachatina simplex Pease

Simple Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina simplex 

The Simple Leptachatina Snail was described in 1869, it was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it was found in the Kona district and in the Waimea region at elevations of 915 to about 1220 m.  

The shells reached a height of only about 0,8 cm.    

*********************  

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

(public domain)

********************* 

edited: 31.03.2018

Hylaeus niloticus (Warncke)

Obscure Masked Bee (Hylaeus niloticus 

The Obscure Masked Bee is known from the islands of Hawai’i, Lana’i, and Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it apparently inhabited coastal areas and dry lowland regions.

The species has not been found in recent years and might indeed be extinct. [1]

*********************  

References:  

[1] Howell V. Daly; Elwood Curtin Zimmerman; Karl N. Magnacca: ‘Insects of Hawaii; Volume 17; Hawaiian Hylaeus (Nesoprosopis) Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea). 2003

*********************  

edited: 12.06.2020

Omiodes euryprora Meyrick

Olaa Banana Leaf-roller (Omiodes euryprora 

The Olaa Banana Leaf-roller was described in 1899, the species was found in the Ola’a rainforest on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands

The moth reached a wingspan of about 2,5 cm.  

The larvae were exclusively found on the leaves of banana plants, which however are not native to the Hawaiian Islands but were introduced to the islands only by the first Polynesian settlers. That means on the one hand, that the native larval host plant/plants is/are unknown, and on the other hand, that this species was able to adapt to new species of host plants.  

It is possible that this moth species is not extinct, as it was thought for a long time. [1][2]

*********************  

References:  

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958 
[2] William P. Haines; Jon Giffin; David Foote: Rediscovery of five species of Omiodes Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Hawai’i Island. Bishop Occasional Papers 79: 45-49. 2003  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 23.09.2019

Leptachatina tenuicostata Pease

Thin-ribbed Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina tenuicostata 

The Thin-ribbed Leptachatina Snail was described in 1869, the species is apparently known exclusively from [sub]fossil shells that had been recovered from a deposit on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached an average height of about 0,8 cm  

*********************    

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’ 

(public domain) 

*********************  

edited: 31.03.2018

Viridonia sagittirostris Rothschild

Greater Amakihi (Viridonia sagittirostris)  

The so called Greater Amakihi, which is also known as Green Solitaire, was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, and was already restricted to a tiny area in the coastal rain forest of the Hamakua District in northeastern Hawai’i, when it was first discovered in 1892.  

The bird reached a size of about 17 cm, both sexes were mainly bright olive-green, with narrow black lores, the black beak was long, nearly straight, and sharp-pointed, the bases of the mandibles were light blue.  

Its food consisted mostly of insects, which the bird found while probing into bark crevices and leaf axils. [1]  

***

Even though the Greater Amakihi superficially resembles the Amakihi (Hemignathus virens (Gmelin)), both species are/were not closely related, the Greater Amakihi does not belong in the genus Hemignathus but is more closely related to the extinct genus Aidemedia. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005  

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Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 24.09.2017

Chloridops kona Wilson

Kona Grosbeak (Chloridops kona)  

The Kona Grosbeak was discovered at the end of the 19th century, at that time it was restricted to a tiny, only about 10 km² large area in the north of the Kona district on the island of Hawai’i.  

This rather plump and inconspicuous looking bird fed almost exclusively on the dried seeds of the Naio tree (Myoporum sandwicense (A. Gray)), and could often be located by the cracking sound of its feeding.  

R. C. L. Perkins was one of the few people, that saw the bird in life, he wrote about it in the year 1893.:  

The Palila (Chloridops kona), though an interesting bird on account of its peculiar structure, is a singularly uninteresting one in its habits. It is a dull, sluggish, solitary bird, and very silent – its whole existence may be summed up in the words “to eat.” Its food consists of the seeds of the fruit of the aaka (bastard sandal-tree [Myoporum sandwicense (A. Gray)],and probably in other seasons of those of the sandal-wood tree), and as these are very minute, its whole time seems to be taken up in cracking the extremely hard shells of this fruit, for which its extraordinarily powerful beak and heavy head have been developed. I think there must have been hundreds of the small white kernels in those that I examined. The incessant cracking of the fruits when one of these birds is feeding, the noise of which can be heard for a considerable distance, renders the bird much easier to see than it otherwise would be. … I never heard it sing (once mistook the young Rhodacanthis’ song for that of Chloridops), but my boy informed me that he had heard it once, and its song was not like that of Rhodacanthis. Only once did I see it display any real activity, when a male and female were in active pursuit of one another amongst the sandal-trees. Its beak is nearly always very dirty, with a brown substance adherent to it, which must be derived from the sandal-tree.”  

Note, that the name Palila is actually the Hawaiian vernacular name for another drepanidine bird species – Loxioides bailleui (Oustalet).  The last living Kona Grosbeaks were seen in the year 1894.  

*********************  

References:  

[1] R. C. L. Perkins: Notes on Collecting in Kona. The Ibis 6(5): 101-111. 1893 
[2] D. Luther: Die ausgestorbenen Vögel der Welt. Westarp Wissenschaften 1986 
[3] H. D. Pratt; P. L. Bruner; D. G. Berrett: A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press 1987 
[4] E. Fuller: Extinct Birds. Penguin Books (England) 1987 
[5] H. D. Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005  

*********************    

Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 25.04.2017

Agrotis microreas Meyrick

Kilauea Cutworm (Agrotis microreas)  

This species is the smallest member of its genus on the Hawai’i Islands and is known only on the basis of the type material, a single pair.  

The species reached a wingspan of about 2,6 cm.  

The host plant of its larvae is unknown.  

The Kilauea Cutworm was scientifically described in the year 1899 and was, according to eyewitnesses, still commonly found on the hills of the Kilauea volcano in the year 1913, where the moths were seen flying in the morning sunshine over low vegetation. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  

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Photo from: ‘Matthew J. Medeiros; Jessica Kirkpatrick; Christine H. Elliott; Andersonn Prestes; Jesse Eiben; Daniel Rubinoff: Two new day-flying species of Agrotis Ochsenheimer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from the alpine summit of Maunakea Volcano. Zootaxa 4545(2): 277-285. 2019’  

(under creative commons license (3.0))
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

*********************

edited: 22.01.2019

Hemignathus vorpalis Olson & James

Giant Nukupuu (Hemignathus vorpalis)

The Giant Nukupuu was described in 2003 based on subfossil remains that were found in 1993 in the so-called Petrel Cave on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species had an elongated, slightly down-curved upper beak and a much shorter, likewise down-curved under beak; its habits are unknown and no recent bird has a similar beak. [1]

*********************

References:

[1] Helen F. James; Storrs L. Olson: A giant new species of nukupuu (Fringillidae: Drepanidini: Hemignathus) from the island of Hawaii. The Auk. 120(4): 970–981. 2003

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edited: 23.08.2022

Agrotis crinigera (Butler)

Poko Cutworm (Agrotis crinigera)  

The Poko Cutworm, so named for its native name Poko, was one of the moth species, that in the time after the arrival of European settlers on the Hawai’i Islands were able to adapt quite well to the new set of circumstances.  

The species reached a wingspan of about 4,9 cm.  

The natural host plants of the caterpillars were several native species of Ihi (Portulaca spp.) as well as ‘Ilima (Sida fallax Walp.), but in the meantime they also adapted themselves to introduced plant species and fed on the leaves of thorn-apple plants (Datura spp.) and sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Furthermore they fed on several garden plants, especially of the legume family, e.g. beans, and therefore may not have been very welcome to gardens.  

In 1899, Hugo H. Schauinsland wrote the following notes about his observations of this species on the island of Laysan.:

Of the insects I found on Laysan, only the following … Spaelotis crinigera Butl.; the latter occurred in astonishingly hugh numbers. Its “grublike caterpillar” lives under ground on the roots of Eragrostis.” [2]

***

Even though the Poko Cutworm was distributed all over the Hawaiian main islands, it belongs to the extirpated species now, whereas the reasons for this seem still to be unknown up to date.  

The species was last seen in 1926.  

*********************  

References:  

[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  
[2] Hugo H. Schauinsland: Three months on a coral island (Laysan); translated by Miklos D. F. Udvardy. Atoll Research Bulletin 432. 1996

*********************    

Depiction from: ‘George F. Hampson: Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum. London: Printed by Order of the Trustees 1898-1919’ 

(public domain) 

*********************  

edited: 24.09.2019

Omiodes meyricki Swezey

Meyrick’s Leaf-roller (Omiodes meyricki)

This species was described in 1904, it was found in the lowland rainforest around the Akaka falls near the northeastern coast of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

Meyrick’s Leaf-roller was one of several Hawaiian endemic leaf-roller species that were able to adapt to non-native host plants that had been brought by the first Polynesian settlers, its larvae fed on banana leafes. It is thus somewhat strange, at first glance, that these apparently quite adabtable moths disappeared during the early 20th century, but let’s just take a second look …:

In the late 19th, the early 20th century, and unfortunately up to this day, the Hawaiian Islands were and are merely considered by the American- and European settlers as some kind of tropical growing field for the production of cheap beef, coffee, pineapples etc.. The settlers not only brought new plants to the islands, they also unintentionally imported a lot of pest insects that spread all over the islands, thus it was thought to be the best to bring their natural enemies to the islands as well. However, some of them, like the two wasp species Cremastus flavoorbitalis (Cameron) and Trichogramma minutum Riley are anything but specialized to a single host, these two were alos found to parasitize the eggs of endemic moth species, including Meyrick’s Leaf-roller. [1]

*********************

References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958

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Depiction from: ‘Otto H. Swezey: The sugar cane leaf-roller (Omiodes accepta): with an account of allied species and natural enemies. Report of work of the Experiment Station of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association. Entomological series. Bulletin 5: 1-60. 1907′

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 23.09.2019

Scotorythra megalophylla (Meyrick)

Kona Giant Looper Moth (Scotorythra megalophylla 

The genus Scotorythra is restricted in its distribution to the islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago and contains about 38 species.  

***

The Kona Giant Looper Moth was described in 1899, it is apparently known exclusively from female specimens.  

The species was found in the Ola’a forest on the slopes of the Kilauea volcano in the southeastern part of Big Island, but also in the Kona district in the western part of the island.  

The Kona Giant Looper Moth reached a wingspan of about 7,2 to 8,7 cm and was thus one of the largest lepidopteran species on the Hawaiian Islands. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  

*********************    

Depiction from ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian Islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’

(public domain) 

*********************  

edited: 31.03.2018

Hemignathus obscurus (Gmelin)

Lesser Hawaii Akialoa (Hemignathus obscurus 

The Lesser Hawaii Akialoa, so named for the fact that there was yet another closely related, but not yet described species occurred sympatrically on the island of Hawai’i, reached a size of about 17 cm, it was mainly olive-green, the sexes were quite similar. The bird had a somewhat elongated and down-curved beak.  

The bird inhabited probably all sorts of native forest, and used its beak to probe the bark of the trees for hidden insects and spiders, but sometimes took nectar from flowers, especially from the ‘ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaudich.).  

The clutch consisted, as in most ‘drepanidid birds’, of just one or two eggs. Thus, the reproduction rate was very low and the birds were incapable to compensate larger losses which happened after the introduction of cats and rats to the Hawai’i Islands.  The reasons for the extinction of this wonderful bird are the same as for all extinct ‘drepanidine‘ finches: habitat loss, alteration of the remaining habitat, introduction of cats and rats, introduction of deadly bird diseases, and – last but not least – the incredible incompetence of the Hawaiian government to save their unique wildlife!  

***

The Lesser Hawaii Akialoa is mentioned for the first time by Captain James Cook in 1979 in a text passage that gives an overview of the birdlife (also described for the first time) the crew of his ships met with on the island of Hawaii.:  

The birds of these islands are as beautiful as any we have seen during the voyage, and are numerous, though not various. There are four, which seem to belong to the trochili, or honey-suckers of Linnaeus; one of which is something larger than a bullfinch; its colour is a fine glossy black, the rump-vent and thighs a deep yellow. It is called by the natives hoohoo [Drepanis pacifica]. Another is of an exceeding bright scarlet colour; the wings black, and edged with white; and the tail black; its native name is eeeeve [Drepanis coccinea]. A third, which seems to be eighter a young bird, or a variety of the foregoing, is variegated with red, brown, and yellow. The fourth is entirely green, with a tinge of yellow, and is called akaiearooa [Hemignathus obscura].There is a species of thrush, with a grey breast [Myadestes obscurus]; and a small bird of the flycatcher kind [Chasiempis sandwichensis]; a rail, with very short wings and no tail, which, on that account, we named rallus ecaudatus [Zapornia sandwichensis]. Ravens are found here, but they are very scarce; their colour is dark brown, inclining to black; and their note is different from the European [Corvus hawaiiensis]. Here are to small birds, both of one genus, that are very common; one is red, and generally seen about the cocoa-nut trees, particularly when they are in flower, from whence it seems to derive great part of its subsistence [Himatione sanguinea]; the other is green [Hemignathus virens (?)]; the tongues of both are long and ciliated, or fringed at the tip. A bird with a yellow head, which, from the structure of its beak, we called a parroquet, is likewise very common. It, however, by no means belongs to that tribe, but greatly resembles the lexia flavicans, or yellowish cross-bill of Linnaeus [Psittirostra psittacea]. Here are also owls [Asio flammeus ssp. sandwichensis], plovers of two sorts, one very like the whistling plover of Europe; a large white pigeon [?]; a bird with a long tail, whose colour is black, the vent and feathers under the wing (which is much longer than is usually seen in the generality of birds, except the birds of paradise) are yellow [Moho nobilis]; and the common water or darker hen [Fulica alai].” [1]

*********************  

References:  

[1] The three voyages of Captain James Cook round the world. Complete in seven volumes. London: printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Paternoster Row 1821 
[2] R. C. L. Perkins: Notes on Collecting in Kona. The Ibis 6(5): 101-111. 1893 
[3] D. Luther: Die ausgestorbenen Vögel der Welt. Westarp Wissenschaften 1986 
[4] H. D. Pratt; P. L. Bruner; D. G. Berrett: A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press 1987 
[5] E. Fuller: Extinct Birds. Penguin Books (England) 1987 
[6] H. D. Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 22.12.2014

Tritocleis microphylla Meyrick

Olaa Peppered Looper Moth (Tritocleis microphylla)

The Olaa Peppered Moth was described in 1899; it was restricted to the ‘Ōla’a Forest in what today is the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai’i.

The species had a wingspan of 2 cm; its head and thorax were whitish-ochreous, sprinkled with black; the abdomen was whitish-ochreous with a double dorsal series of blackish dots; the forewings were triangular, whitish-ochreous , finely and thinly sprinkled with black; the hind wings were pale whitish-ochrous and were also sprinkled with black.

The Olaa Peppered Moth seems to have never been recorded since its description and is now considered extinct.

*********************

Depiction from: ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’  

(public domain)

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edited: 13.01.2024

Amastra whitei Cooke

White’s Amastra Snail (Amastra whitei)

 

White’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was found near the western coast of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reach average sizes of 1,2 cm in height.

At first sight this Amastra appears to be a form of A. conica. It differs, however, from A. conica and its varieties … in its thicker shell, closed perforation, besides the embryonic whorls are slightly more convex and the apex less pointed. Some of the specimens are more distinctly keeled at the periphery than the holotype. It is, however, in the immature specimens that the differences are more apparent. The shells are broader in proportion to their length and there is a strong distinct keel at the periphery.” [1]

*********************

References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 04.05.2022

Megalagrion nesiotes (Perkins)

Red Hawaiian Damselfly (Megalagrion nesiotes)

The Red Hawaiian Damselfly was described in 1899, it is or rather was endemic to Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The biology of this species appears to be completely unknown, it is considered extinct.

The Red Hawaiian Damselfly was formerly synonymized with another species from the island of Maui, The Black Maui Damselfly (Megalagrion dinesiotes Kennedy), a species that was thought to be extinct for some time but which was rediscovered. [1][2]

*********************

References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 2; Apterygota to Thysanoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1948
[2] Jerrell J. Daigle: The distribution of the Odonata of Hawaii. Bulletin of American Odonatology 6(1): 1-5. 2000

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edited: 12.01.2019

Cookeconcha thwingi (Ancey)

Thwing’s Cookeconcha Snail (Cookeconcha thwingi 

This species was described in 1904.  

Thwing’s Cookeconcha Snail inhabited an extinct crater at the Kona coast of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached a size of 0,21 to 0,25 cm in diameter. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] Alan Solem: Endodontoid land snails from Pacific Islands (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Sigmurethra). Part I, Family Endodontidae. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, Illinois 1976  

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edited: 23.03.2018

Hylaeus simplex (Perkins)

Simple Masked Bee (Hylaeus simplex)  

The Simple Masked Bee is or rather was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it was found in all kind of habitats from near the shore to the wet mountain forests, it was found abundantly from the 1890s to the early 21th century but has not found since and is thought to be most likely extinct.

*********************  

edited: 11.04.2019

Anomis vulpicolor (Meyrick)

Fox-colored Owlet Moth (Anomis vulpicolor 

The Fox-colored Owlet Moth was described in 1928.  

The species, which had a wingspan of 4,4 cm, is known from the islands of Hawai’i, Moloka’i, and O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, but certainly inhabited the islands of Kaua’i and Maui too.  

The caterpillars fed on ‘Ulei (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Sm.) Lindl.), a plant species that actually is still very common, even today. [1]  

***

The Fox-colored Owlet Moth is considered probably extinct since the last records took place sometimes before 1960 [?].  

*********************  

References:  

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  

*********************  

edited: 10.04.2018

Omiodes fullawayi Swezey

Fullaway’s Leaf-roller (Omiodes fullawayi)

Fullaway’s Leaf-roller was described in 1919, the species was apparently restricted to the Kona District on the western coast of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The moth reached a wingspan of about 3 cm.

The larvae were known to feed on banana leaves. [1]

*********************

References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958

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edited: 23.09.2019

Hemignathus sp. ‘Hawai’i’

Greater Hawaii Akialoa (Hemignathus sp.)  

This species, which up to day has neither been described nor named, is known from well-preserved subfossil remains of four birds, which were uncovered in 1992 from the Umi’i Manu Cave on the Pu’u Wa’awa’a Ranch in the northwest of the island of Hawai’i. [1]  

The Greater Hawaii Akialoa was larger than the better known Lesser Hawaii Akialoa (Hemignathus obscurus (Gmelin)), and furthermore had a much longer beak, and thus was more like the other akialoa forms from the islands of Kaua’i, Lana’i, and O’ahu.  

This species was probably restricted to lowland areas and died out following the colonization by the first Polynesian settlers. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] H. F. James; S. L. Olson: A giant new species of Nukupuu (Fringillidae: Drepanidini: Hemignathus) from the Island of Hawaii. Auk 120: 970-981. 2003  

*********************  

edited: 21.09.2017

Delissea fallax Hillebr.

Deceptive Delissea (Delissea fallax)

This species, described in 1888, was restricted to few small populations on the windward slopes of Mauna Kea in northern Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species was last collected sometimes prior to 1872. [1]

*********************

References:

[1] Thomas G. Lammers: Revision of Delissea (Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae). Systematic botany Monographs 73: 1-75. 2005

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edited: 18.04.2019

Lepidium remyi Drake

Remy’s Scurvy Grass (Lepidium remyi)

Remy’s Scurvy Grass or Remy’s Pepperweed was described in 1890, it was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, were it apparently was only ever known from a single site somewhere on the slopes of the Hualalai volcano. It was collected sometimes between 1851 and 1855, another collection from the year 1949 is thought to possibly also represent this species.

The species was given the status of a variety of Lepidium bidentatum Montin in 1969, and the photo below shows a variety of that species that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiian Scurvy Grass (Lepidium bidentatum var. o-waihiense (Cham. & Schltdl.) Fosberg). 

Remy’s Scurvy Grass might have been nothing but a extreme form of another Hawaiian Scurvy Grass species, or it might have been an extremely rare endemic species, whatever case, it is now most likely extinct.

*********************

[1] F. R. Fosberg: Miscellaneous notes on Hawaiian plants – 5. Bishops Museum Occasional Papers 24(2): 1-24. 1869

*********************

Hawaiian Scurvy Grass (Lepidium bidentatum var. o-waihiense (Cham. & Schltdl.) Fosberg)

Photo: Kim Starr & Forest Starr; by courtesy of Kim Starr & Forest Starr 
http://www.starrenvironmental.com 

*********************

edited: 16.09.2019

Chaetoptila angustipluma (Peale)

Kioea (Chaetoptila angustipluma)  

The Kioea was the largest of the pseudo-honeyeaters (Mohoidae) that were endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, this species is – at least historically – known only from the biggest island, Hawai’i itself. It might formerly have been more widely distributed since subfossil remains that probably can be assigned to this species have been found on Maui. 

The species reached a size of 32 cm, it was more or less olive-green colored with most of the feathers being decorated with a light tip which gave the bird a heaviliy spotted apearance.

The Kioea was a nectar-feeding species and was described as having been a quite aggresive bird commonly chasing away other nectar-feeding bird species from its preferred flowers. 

The species was last seen in 1859.

*********************  

Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’      

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 13.09.2020

Genophantis leahi Swezeyi

Leahi Pyralid Moth (Genophantis leahi)

The Leahi Pyralid Moth was described in 1910; it is known from the islands of Hawai’i, Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.

The larvae fed on the leaves of several native spurge species (Euphorbia spp.).

*********************

Photo: CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics

(under creative commons license (3.0))
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

*********************

edited: 23.04.2022

Hypena newelli (Swezey)

Hilo Owlet Moth (Hypena newelli)  

The Hilo Owlet Moth was described in 1912, it occurred near the city of Hilo in the eastern part of Big Island, Hawaiian Islands.  

The species reached a wingspan of about 3,1 cm.  

The species’ biology is completely unknown, as appears to be the reasons for its extinction. [1]  

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References:  

[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958 

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edited: 31.03.2018

Partulina horneri Baldwin

Horner’s Partulina Snail (Partulina horneri)  

This species was described in 1895, it was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The species was arboreal and was commonly found on the endemic Hawaiian ‘ahakea (Bobea elatior Gaudich.), and sometimes also on kawa’u (Ilex anomala Hook. & Arn.), ‘ohi’a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaudich.), and kolea lau nui (Myrsine lessertiana A. DC.).  

***

The author of the species also gave a description of the live animal.:  

Animal in motion longer than the shell. Mantle black, margined with gray. Foot above and below gray, the superior portions lightly granulated. Tentacles light gray.”  

***

Horner’s Partulina Snail was last seen in 1992, when it was restricted to two populations in the Hamakua- and Kohala districts respectively. [1]

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References  

[1] Michael G. Hadfield; Lisa J. Hadway: Conservation status of tree snail species in the genus Partulina (Achatinellinae) on the Island of Hawai’i: a modern and historical perspective. Pacific Science 53(1): 1-14. 1999  

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Depiction from: ‘G. W. Tryon; H. A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata, Vol. 22: Achatinellidae. 1912-1914’  

(public domain)

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edited: 08.10.2017

Zapornia sandwichensis ssp. sandwichensis (Gmelin)

Western Hawaiian Crake (Zapornia sandwichensis ssp. sandwichensis)  

The Hawaii Crake or Hawaiian Rail is the only of the extinct rails from the Hawaiian main islands, that is known to have survived into historical times.  

The species inhabited open, grassy areas and behaved somewhat like a small mammal, running through the vegetation in search for food.  

The Hawaiians called the bird moho.  

***

The last specimen dates from the year 1864, since then no one has aver seen a Hawaiian Crake again.  

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Depiction from: ‘Scott B. Wilson; A. H. Wilson; Frederick William Frohawk; Hans Gadow: Aves Hawaiienses: the birds of the Sandwich Islands. London: R. H. Porter 1890-1899’ 

(not in copyright)

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edited: 20.03.2018

Amastra flavescens ssp. emortua Cooke

Died-out Amastra Snail (Amastra flavescens ssp. emortua)

This form was described in 1917; it is known from (sub)fossil remains that were recovered from deposits of the Huehue (flow?) on the north-western slopes of the Hualālai Volcano in northern Kona on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reach average sizes of 1,8 cm in heigth.

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917

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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’

(public domain)

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edited: 04.05.2022

Omiodes telegrapha Meyrick

White-lined Leaf-roller (Omiodes telegrapha)

The White-lined Leaf-roller was described in 1899, the species is known only from the type specimen which had been collected somewhere in the Ola’a rainforest on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species reached a winspan of about 3,8 cm. The under surfaces of the wings were strongly marked, much like the dorsum, the white scaling on the veins and the white apical lines between the veins are characteristic. [1]

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References:

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958

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Depiction from: ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’

(public domain)

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edited: 23.09.2019

Partulina confusa (Sykes)

Confusing Partulina Snail (Partulina confusa 

This species was described in 1900, it was endemic to the Hamakua- and Kohala districts of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The species was arboreal and was found on several native shrubs like the ilima (Sida fallax Walp.), and trees including the olopua (Nestegis sandwichensis ((A. Gray) O. Deg., I. Deg. & L. A. S. Johnson) and the mamane (Sophora chrysophylla (Salisb.) Seem.). [1][2]

The shells are quite large, reaching sizes of about 2,6 to nearly 2,8 cm.  

***

One of several reasons for the extinction of this and other endemic Hawaiian snail species is the collection of their shells.:

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, landsnail collecting was a popular pastime on the Hawaiian Islands … Henshaw … referred to a colony of Partulina confusa on the Waimea Plains that had an estimated population size of 75,000 and where he and other collectors collected 10,000 shells in just 3 months …. The collections at the Bishop Museum also provide evidence for the shell-collecting pressure that was put on these snails on Hawai’i Island. There are 2827 shells of Partulina ssp. from Hawai’i Island in the collection, over half of them (1655) being shells of P. confusa, a species that now seems to be extinct.” [2]

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References:  

[1] Michael G. Hadfield; Stephen E. Miller: Demographic Studies on Hawaii’s Endangered Tree Snails: Partulina proxima. Pacific Science 43(1): 1-16. 1989 
[2] Michael G. Hadfield; Lisa J. Hadway: Conservation status of tree snail species in the genus Partulina (Achatinellinae) on the Island of Hawai’i: a modern and historical perspective. Pacific Science 53(1): 1-14. 1999  

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Depiction from: ‘G. W. Tryon; H. A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata, Vol. 22: Achatinellidae. 1912-1914’  

(public domain)

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edited: 17.06.2020

Phyllostegia parviflora var. glabriuscula A. Gray

Hawaiian Small-flowered Phyllostegia (Phyllostegia parviflora var. glabriuscula)

The Hawaiian Small-flowered Phyllostegia was described in 1862, it was apparently restricted to a small area on private land on the slopes of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The form was last recorded in the late 1800s and is now considered extinct.

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References:

[1] Warren L. Wagner: Nomenclator and review of Phyllostegia (Lamiaceae). Novon 9(2): 265-279. 1999

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edited: 24.09.2019

Amastra sinistrorsa Baldwin

Hamakua Amastra Snail (Amastra sinistrorsa)

This species was described in 1906; it is apparently known only from subfossil specimens that were recovered from Holocene deposits in Mana in the Hāmākua District near the north-eastern coast of the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reach sizes of about 1,4 cm in height.

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a. o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’

(public domain)

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edited: 12.08.2022

Telespiza sp. ‘Owl Cave’

Owl Cave Finch (Telespiza sp.)

This species has not been described so far, it is known from at least a partial associated skeleton found in a cave named Owl Cave on the island of Hawai’i in the Hawaiian Islands. [1]

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References:

[1] Helen F. James: The osteology and phylogeny of the Hawaiian finch radiation (Fringillidae: Drepanidini), including extinct taxa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141: 207-255. 2004

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edited: 17.06.2020

Corvus sp. ‘Hawai’i’ 2

Slender-billed Crow (Corvus sp.)  

The subfossil remains of this form were recovered from the lava tubes at the Pu’u Wa’awa’a cinder cone in the northern Kona district, Hawai’i.  

This species was characterized by its long slender bill adapted for probing. [1]  

***

The Slender-billed Crow was very likely a distinct species, closely related to – but not identical with the likewise extirpated Robust Crow (Corvus viriosus Olson & James).  

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References:  

[1] Jon G. Griffin: Pu’u Wa’awa’a Biological Assessment. Pu’u Wa’awa’a, North Kona, Hawaii 2003 
[2] Susan Culliney; Liba Pechar; Richard Switzer; Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez: Seed dispersal by a captive corvid: the role of the ‘Alala (Corvus hawaiiensis) in shaping Hawai’i’s plant communities. Ecological Applications 22(6): 1718-1732. 2012  

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edited: 19.05.2019

Corvus sp. ‘Hawai’i’ 1

Woodpecker-like Crow (Corvus sp.)  

This very unique crow species, which still has not been described, is known from subfossil remains that were recovered from the lava tubes at the Pu’u Wa’awa’a cinder cone in the northern Kona district, Hawai’i.  

The Woodpecker-like Crow was characterized by its skull and beak modified for hammering on hard surfaces, probably very much like a woodpecker.  

The species inhabited lowland areas and obviously disappeared shortly after the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers. [1]  

***

The only crow species surviving in the whole Polynesian region today is the Hawaiian Crow or ‘alala (Corvus hawaiiensis Peale), which, however, is extinct in the wild. It is now bred in captivity, but unfortunately all efforts to translocate captive-bred birds into the wild have failed so far.  

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References:  

[1] Jon G. Griffin: Pu’u Wa’awa’a Biological Assessment; Pu’u Wa’awa’a, North Kona, Hawaii 2003 
[2] Susan Culliney; Liba Pechar; Richard Switzer; Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez: Seed dispersal by a captive corvid: the role of the ‘Alala (Corvus hawaiiensis) in shaping Hawai’i’s plant communities. Ecological Applications 22(6): 1718-1732. 2012  

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edited: 19.05.2019

Helicoverpa confusa Hardwick

Confused Owlet Moth (Helicoverpa confusa)

This species was described in 1965; it is, or was, apparently restricted to the Volcano District on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

Unfortunately, I was not able to gather any additional information.

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Photo: University of Hawaii Insect Museum 
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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References:

D. F Hardwick: The corn earworm complex. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 40: 1-247. 1965

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edited: 23.08.2022

Pseudisidora rubella (Lea)

Reddish Lymnaea Snail (Pseudisidora rubella)

The Reddish Lymnaea Snail was described in 1841; the species was originally found on all of the Hawaiian main islands where it mainly inhabited streams but was also found in pools or on the wet rocky surfaces below waterfalls. Its biology is not well-known, but it probably fed on algae.

The shells of this species are dextral, they reach heights of up to 1,3 cm.

The Reddish Lymnaea Snail is now extinct.

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References:

[1] Carl C. Christensen: Type species designation for Pelagolimnaea Germain, 1928, and a correction regarding the type species of Pseudisidora Thile, 1931 (Gastropoda: Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae). Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2014. Part I: edited by Neal L. Evenhuis & Scott E. Miller. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 116: 53–56. 2015

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edited: 01.08.2022

Psittirostra psittacea (Gmelin)

Ou (Psittirostra psittacea)

 

The Ou was described in 1789; it was already mentioned in an enumeration of birds found on the island of Hawai’i during Cook’s last voyage.

Originally, the species inhabited all of the Hawaiian main islands where it originally was very common and widespread, the birds undertook wide wanderings, likely even between islands, to exploit seasonally available food resources. They generally fed on fruits, mainly of the native ‘ie’ie (Freycinetia arborea Gaudich.) but they also fed upon insects

The species reached a size of about 17 cm; it showed a marked sexual dimorphism; both sexes were generally olive-green, had pink legs and feet and beaks, but the males had a bright yellow head.

The Hawaiian name of the bird was ‘ō’ū. [1]

***

The last populations of the Ou survived on the islands of Hawai’i, where they were last seen in 1987 in the Ōla’a area and on Kaua’i, where they finally were last seen in 1989 on the Alaka’i plateau; no real efforts had been undertaken to save the last populations. [1]

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References:

[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005

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Depiction from: ‘Scott B. Wilson; A. H. Wilson; Frederick William Frohawk; Hans Gadow: Aves Hawaiienses: the birds of the Sandwich Islands. London: R. H. Porter 1890-1899’

(not in copyright)

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edited: 01.08.2022

Hypena plagiota (Meyrick)

Lovegrass Owlet Moth (Hypena plagiota 

The Lovegrass Owlet Moth, which was described in 1899, occurred on the islands of Kaua’i and O’ahu, where it inhabited areas at higher elevations, the species probably also occurred on Hawai’i and Maui.  

The quite variable colored species reached a wingspan of about 3 cm.  

The caterpillars fed on several grass species from the genera Eragrostis, among them Eragrostis fosbergii Whitney, Eragrostis grandis Hillebr., and Eragrostis variabilis (Gaudich.) Steud.. [1]  

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References:  

[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian Islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’ 

(public domain) 

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edited: 31.03.2018

Campsicnemus hawaiiensis Hardy & Delfinado

Hawaiian Spur-winged Long-legged Fly (Campsicnemus hawaiiensis 

The Hawaiian Spur-winged Long-legged Fly was described in 1974, it is known only from the type specimens that had been collected in 1972 and 1973.  

The species reached a body length of about 0,15 cm, the highly reduced wings were spur-like and only about 0,11 cm long.  

The Hawaiian Spur-winged Long-legged Fly inhabited several kipuka [a vegetated ‘island’ on an otherwise barren lava flow] along the Saddle Road on the Mauna Loa lava flows on Big Island, Hawaiian Islands.  

The species was never found since the type collection was made and is very likely extinct, the reasons may be found in the presence of feral pigs, which root in soft earth and disturb the forest floor leaf litter, thus may have had an adverse effect on the populations of this and other insect species. [1]  

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References:  

[1] Neal L. Evenhuis: Review of flightless Dolichopodidae (Diptera) in the Hawaiian Islands. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 53: 1-29. 1997  

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edited: 02.04.2018

Leptachatina defuncta Cooke

Defunct Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina defuncta)

The Defunct Leptachatina Snail, described in 1910, is apparently known only based on (sub)fossil shells which were found at a place named Mana, probably in the northeastern part of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species appears to have been rather variable, its shells reached sizes of about 0,9 cm in length. [1]

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References:

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

(public domain)

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edited: 17.04.2019