Volume 1, Number 4
FREE
September, 2024
Will The Altered Mosquitoes Release Save Maui’s Endangered Bird Populations?
By Taryn Kama
I
n an effort to save Hawai‘i’s remaining native forest birds, a coalition of governmental and non-profit groups has been releasing non-biting, bacteria-infected, male southern house mosquitoes in highelevation forests. These releases aim to protect the birds from avian malaria carried by invasive mosquitoes. Several species of honeycreepers, especially in danger of extinction, are found only in Hawaii. These birds play a crucial role in pollinating Hawaii’s native plants, consuming insects, and supporting the forest ecosystem. As climate change drives mosquitoes to higher elevations, native bird species are increasingly threatened. According to an April 2022 news report from the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, “Avian malaria, a non-native disease transmitted by invasive mosquitoes, is driving the potential extinction of four endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers: ‘akikiki, ‘akeke‘e, kiwikiu, and 'ākohekohe. Two of these species have fewer than 200 birds remaining and could go extinct in the next few years.” The coalition, known as “Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM),” emphasizes that the mosquito releases follow years of rigorous study and analysis, with approval from state and federal agencies. The releases began in November, 2023 on Maui and Kaua‘i to attempt to reduce mosquito populations. According to the BNM website, “Twenty-three species of honeycreepers have gone extinct in Hawai'i since the first arrival of mosquitoes in the early 1800s, with many extinctions linked to avian malaria and pox.” BNM conducted its 50th mosquito release on Maui and Kaua‘i in May. Nick Clemons, Acting Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers at Haleakalā National Park, explained, “This project is a coalition of state, federal, private, and non-profit partners with a mission to protect the native Hawaiian manu nahele (forest birds) by advancing efforts
The I'iwi is an endemic bird of the Hawaiian Islands. This honeycreeper feeds on Mamane blossoms in Hosmer Grove at high elevation on Maui. In danger of extinction, they are stunning red birds with large curved beaks. Photo credit: Charles Bergman
to suppress the non-native southern house mosquito population in high-elevation forests across the Hawaiian Islands.” Coalition representatives are from the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai'i Department of Health, US Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Hawai'i, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, American Bird Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i and Palmyra, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Island Conservation, the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project, and Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. How It Works: The project utilizes modified male mosquitoes that cannot fertilize female mosquitoes (that bite and infect birds) successfully, thereby suppressing the overall mosquito population. According to BNM, “The project uses the Wolbachia-incompatible male mosquito through the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to suppress mosquito populations. Wolbachia is a common, naturally occurring bacteria found in nearly half of the world’s insect species, including native Hawaiian insects.” The technique leverages the fact that mosquitoes with different, incompatible strains of Wolbachia cannot produce viable offspring. Male mosquitoes with one strain of Wolbachia can only reproduce with females
“Several species of honeycreepers, especially in danger of extinction, are found only in Hawaii. These birds play a crucial role in pollinating Hawaii’s native plants, consuming insects, and supporting the forest ecosystem ... ”
with a compatible strain, effectively reducing the mosquito population. The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) highlighted in its Spring 2024 newsletter that “We have been conducting weekly releases of IIT male mosquitoes, which do not bite or transmit disease, for six months. In May 2024, we conducted our 50th mosquito release.” The newsletter also notes that monitoring is essential to their efforts, with the team tracking mosquito populations across Maui in both treated and control sites to assess the effectiveness of the releases. How is it working? Clemons stated, “It is too early to tell; however, monitoring continues, and the multi-agency collaboration will work together to report out when enough data is collected. There is no near-term deadline for this.” Opposition and Concerns: Despite widespread support from government agencies and conservationists, the mosquito release project faces opposition. Tina Lia, founder of Hawai‘i Unites—a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental conservation—vehemently opposes the releases and lost a court ruling to halt the project. It is now on appeal.
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What's Inside:
Kula Festival Returns Sept. 21 ......................3 Steering Your Life in Positive Directions.....5 Events Calendar ..........................................8-9 Movie Review (local screenwriter).............10