Megalagrion nesiotes
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalagrion_nesiotes
Overview
Megalagrion nesiotes is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Its common name is flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly. In the past, the flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly lived on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, in the U.S.
state of Hawaii. Currently, there is only one population left in east Maui. Limited distribution and small population size make this species especially vulnerable to habitat loss and exotic species invasion.
The flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly was last found in 2005. Little is known about this species because of the lack of observation. In 2010, the species was federally listed as an endangered species in the United States.
Megalagrion nesiotes faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited Hawaiian range. Introduced predatory fish and aquatic invertebrates have disrupted the delicate stream ecosystems this damselfly depends upon for reproduction. Climate change-induced alterations to precipitation patterns threaten the consistent water flow required for larval development in native Hawaiian streams.
Habitat
This endemic Hawaiian damselfly inhabits pristine native streams and associated riparian vegetation in montane forests. The species requires clean, flowing freshwater with stable temperatures and minimal human disturbance for successful breeding and larval development.
