Modeling endemic parasitic wasp elevational range shift as a result of climate change

Endemic parasitic wasps play an influential role in Hawaii’s native ecosystems, as natural enemies of indigenous species, and potentially providing biotic resistance to invasive species.  The original distribution and structure of indigenous ecosystems have been detrimentally altered by human activity, alien species, and abiotic factors.  Although human activity and alien species are the most visible influences on native ecosystems, there are implications that climate change may be partially responsible for elevational range shifts in organisms.  To determine the potential for impacts of this nature on endemic Hymenoptera species in Hawaii, elevation data were collected from endemic parasitic wasp specimens at the University of Hawaii Insect Museum and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum J. L. Gressitt Center for Research Entomology.  Data from more than 2000 specimens were entered in a database to determine previous distributions of endemic Hymenoptera.  Wasps are also to be collected along transects on Mt. Kaala (Oahu) and Kamakou (Molokai) using yellow pan traps, yellow sticky board traps, and sentinel eggs. Results of mapping elevation and habitat associations of the species examined and long-term implications will be discussed.