{{Short description|Species of bee}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | status = LE | status_system = ESA | taxon = Hylaeus longiceps | authority = [[Robert Cyril Layton Perkins|Perkins]], 1899 }}
'''''Hylaeus longiceps''''', also known as the '''longhead yellow-faced bee''', is a species of [[bee]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Hawaii]] and known from only six populations. In September 2016, along with six other Hawaiian yellow-faced bee species,<ref name=Xerces>{{cite web | title = Hawaiian yellow-faced bees | url = http://www.xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/ | publisher = [[Xerces Society]] | accessdate = Oct 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308075035/https://xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/ |archive-date = March 8, 2018}}</ref> ''H. longiceps'' was listed for protection under the United States [[Endangered Species Act]]. This marked a first listing for any bees species in the US.<ref name=AP>{{cite news | last = Jones | first = Caleb | date = Sep 30, 2016 | title = Feds list 7 Hawaii bee species as endangered, a first in US | url = http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6aa3e8d015f2465da8fe313e4abb94de/feds-list-7-hawaii-bee-species-endangered-first-us | agency = [[Associated Press]] | accessdate = Oct 1, 2016 | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001155347/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6aa3e8d015f2465da8fe313e4abb94de/feds-list-7-hawaii-bee-species-endangered-first-us |archive-date=October 1, 2016}}</ref>
==Description== This bee is black in color with "smoky-colored wings".<ref name=usfws>[[USFWS]]. [http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2013/r1/I0HC_I01.pdf USFWS Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form.] April 1, 2012.</ref> It has an elongated head. The male has a yellow band on his face, while the female is totally black.<ref name=usfws/>
This is a [[solitary bee]]. The female lays eggs in a nest which may be located in the ground or under bark; the bee uses available cavities and does not excavate the nest herself. She lines the cavity with a film she secretes, and then places a mass of nectar and pollen for the newly hatched larvae to eat. The adult bee consumes nectar. This and many other ''Hylaeus'' species lack the [[Scopa (biology)|scopa]] which some bees use to carry pollen, and instead carry it in their crops. The bee visits several native Hawaiian plants, such as ''[[Scaevola coriacea]]'', ''[[Sida fallax]]'', ''[[Sesbania tomentosa]]'', ''[[Myoporum sandwicense]]'', ''[[Santalum ellipticum]]'', and ''[[Vitex rotundifolia]]''.<ref name=usfws/>
==Distribution and habitat== This bee occurs in coastal and lowland dry shrubland. There are 3 populations on [[Lanai]] and one each on [[Maui]], [[Molokai]], and [[Oahu]]. The population sizes are not known. Much of its known habitat has been developed or degraded, and its host plants no longer grow in the area.<ref name=usfws/>
The main threat to the species is habitat loss. Damage to the habitat has occurred via development, the introduction of nonnative plants and animals, agriculture, recreational activity, and fire. Natural disasters such as hurricanes are also a threat to the habitat. This and other rare ''Hylaeus'' bee species were once "widespread" in Hawaii.<ref name=usfws/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q666378}}
[[Category:Colletidae]] [[Category:Insects of Hawaii]] [[Category:Endemic fauna of Hawaii]] [[Category:Endangered fauna of Hawaii]] [[Category:Hymenoptera of Oceania]] [[Category:Insects described in 1899]] [[Category:Taxa named by Robert Cyril Layton Perkins]] [[Category:ESA endangered species]]