The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has added seven yellow-faced bees from the Hylaeus species to a list that would grant them protection under the "Endangered Species Act." This is the first time for any bee in the U.S. to be added to the endangered species list.

The seven types of bees (namely the Hylaeus assimulans, H. anthracinus, H. Hilaris, H.longiceps, H. facilis, H. Mana and H. kuakea) were once found in abundance in Hawaii. 

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Federal wildlife managers reported that the population of these bees has plunged in the same way as other types of bees in the United States. According to the federal register, the bees are being threatened by several factors including the loss of habitat, invasion of non-native plants and animals, and wildfires.

According to Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Brent Lawrence, listing the bees as endangered can help draw attention to the factors pushing the species to extinction.

A report by Gizmodo reported that the bees were facing stiff competition from "alien ants" that eats the larvae from the yellow-faced bees nest. To help address the problem, Jason Graham, an entomologist at the University of Hawaii, has devised an artificial nest that prevents the ants from getting inside.

While there may be other rare insects in Hawaii that also deserve to be protected, the extinction of bees is critical since it could have a possible domino effect.

Entomologist Karl Magnacca said that bees help maintain the structure of the entire forest. Yellow-faced bees are native to Hawaii, and if the bees are wiped out of the ecosystem, then the indigenous plant species that they pollinate in the island will also die.