Like the other plants and animals of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, isolation has lead to the evolution of unique species of insects. Scientists estimate that the NWHI may be home to more than five dozen species of endemic arthropods.
Animals and plants that have evolved on island ecosystems are vulnerable to introduced pests. In the case of insects, new species that hitch rides on ships can compete with the native species who often lack defenses or behaviors that can stop invasive species.
Because of the delicacy of the island ecosystems, researchers take special care that they do not accidentally introduce new insect species to the NWHI. To make sure, all clothing and bags have to be frozen before use, and only used on one island. While it may be inconvenient, these precautions help to preserve insect communities that are found nowhere else on earth.
Insects Links
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