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Development of Insect Conservation in Hawai‘i

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Insect Conservation: Past, Present and Prospects

Abstract

As the most isolated group of high islands in the world, the Hawaiian archipelago occupies a very special place in insect conservation: first as a cradle of evolution of a remarkable endemic fauna and second as a prime example of the vulnerability of island environments to anthropogenic changes – especially the effects of alien species. Lessons from both these themes are of global relevance, and the recognition that these same phenomena are occurring in continental systems has been important in maturing attitudes to insect conservation. Mirrored in other parts of the Pacific, such as New Zealand (Watts et al. this volume; Howarth and Ramsay 1991), external disturbances have had massive impacts on the Islands’ biota. These losses – together with the prospect of continuing severe losses – have contributed to debates over the rationale justifying alien species introductions, including non-native biological control agents. The impacts of introduced control agents are increasingly recognized as an important issue in insect conservation over the last few decades.

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Acknowledgments

We especially thank the numerous previous workers and current colleagues, many of whom were not mentioned in the text, for making this story possible. Neal Evenhuis provided digitized images for Figs. 16.1, 16.2, and 16.7, and David Preston, both at Bishop Museum, offered numerous insect images. Nancy Howarth of Honolulu helped edit the Manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hawaii Biological Survey, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817, USA

    Francis G. Howarth

  2. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Natural Area Reserves System Commission, 1151 Punchbowl St, Room 325, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Betsy H. Gagné

Authors
  1. Francis G. Howarth
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  2. Betsy H. Gagné
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Correspondence to Francis G. Howarth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Melbourne, 3086, Victoria, Australia

    Tim R. New

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Howarth, F.G., Gagné, B.H. (2012). Development of Insect Conservation in Hawai‘i. In: New, T. (eds) Insect Conservation: Past, Present and Prospects. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2963-6_16

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