Degree day modeling and population genetics aid in the conservation management of the Wekiu bug (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae, Nysius wekiuicola) in Hawaii

The Wekiu bug, Nysius wekiuicola, is endemic to the 4,205 meter summit of Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano on the island of Hawaii. It has suffered from the loss of ~11% of it's prime habitat due to development of the summit for telescope facilities, as the summit is one of the best locations on earth for ground-based astronomy. The bug's complete life history is now known, and how the insect can survive in this extreme habitat is being applied to informed conservation planning in undisturbed and disturbed habitat areas. We have applied a degree day model of growth to the Wekiu bug in its range to guide required monitoring and increase efficiency of sampling plans. The population genetic patterns, using a mtDNA COI and COII haplotype network from samples throughout the entire species range, of the Wekiu bug indicate that the population at the summit is the most genetically diverse, and other, lower elevation populations are founded from the summit as subset meta-populations. This new knowledge of genetics and population growth parameters has great implications for the management of this Candidate Endangered Species and its unique habitat.