-
- Friday, July 10, 2009
- Back Issues
- Mobile Edition
- RSS
- Traffic
- Place My Ad
- Obituaries
- Contact Us
- Travel
-
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Jobs
- Homes
Search
Blogs
Reader Poll 
Most Read
- Woman falls ill after win at casino
- Salon workers pursue duo that stole their van
- Revenue drop heightens Lingle's call for labor cuts
- Aloha in the desert
- ‘Dangerous’ double-threat
- Hannemann says mayors and unions have a deal
- Ilikai employees fear for future
- Isle developers consider impact of 'Great Recession'
- El Nino conditions return to the Pacific
- Pacific Wings shuts operations in spat with DOT
- Retail nomad
Newsletter
Feds classify 9,000 acres to protect fly species
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 05, 2009
The federal government designated almost 9,000 acres on five islands last month as critical habitat for protected Hawaiian picture-wing fly species known for their elaborate mating performances.
The federal government classified 11 Hawaii picture-wing fly species as endangered and one as threatened in 2006. The Endangered Species Act requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat areas for these species to assist their protection.
Picture-wing flies, about two to three times the size of common houseflies, are named for the intricate markings on their clear wings.
Researchers have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria on some of the protected species, which could help scientists find new ways to combat diseases such as bird flu and cancer.
Their critical habitat areas cover 32 spots on Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Kauai.
In some areas, invasive feral pigs dig up soil and eat the native plants the flies need to live. Yellow jacket wasps, another invasive species, prey on the picture-wing flies as well as compete with them for food.
The federal government designated almost 9,000 acres on five islands last month as critical habitat for protected Hawaiian picture-wing fly species known for their elaborate mating performances.
The federal government classified 11 Hawaii picture-wing fly species as endangered and one as threatened in 2006. The Endangered Species Act requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat areas for these species to assist their protection.
Picture-wing flies, about two to three times the size of common houseflies, are named for the intricate markings on their clear wings.
Researchers have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria on some of the protected species, which could help scientists find new ways to combat diseases such as bird flu and cancer.
Their critical habitat areas cover 32 spots on Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Kauai.
In some areas, invasive feral pigs dig up soil and eat the native plants the flies need to live. Yellow jacket wasps, another invasive species, prey on the picture-wing flies as well as compete with them for food.
Today’s Edition
- El Nino heralds more isle storms
- Federal-local teams seize 237 fugitives across state
- School board curtails labor costs in budget
- BOE delays decision on whether to close 5 libraries
- Mayors, unions hatch a pact and ask governor to join talks
- Laying off state workers will not be quick or easy
- Airline to resume flights cut in dispute
- Stabbing called self-defense
- Man not guilty in assault case
- Attorney general OK'd to stay in Pflueger trial
- Late notice generates lane-closure headaches
- Neighbor Islands
- Police / Fire
- Island Images
- MGMT cool sounds will rock the isles
- Jump Offs hope gig will be a jump start
- "ICONS1" sequel joins five other movies at "Surf Film" fest
- Deadbeats stepping lively at The Loft
- Stories to da max at Talk Story conference
- 'Entourage' hits its stride
- Movie-stage trend sticks for DHT
- In The Mix: King of cheesecake holds court in Chinatown store
- Nightclubs
- Island Mele: Song salutes emperor
- On The Scene
- By The Glass: Perfect time to try Syrah wines
- Editor's Picks
- Pet Ohana: Shelter keeps animals as long as possible
- Got nutrients?
- Sydner big on punt returns
- Kapaa lineman joins 2010 recruiting class
- Choi leads drama-filled Open
- Further Review: No shame in stuffing the ballot box for Shane
- Hawaii Beat
- Scoreboard
- Television & Radio
insideStarBulletin.com
