TALK: How Wēkiu Bug Has Evolved on Mauna Kea

Wēkiu bug PC: University of Hawai‘i, Hilo

The May Mauna Kea Speaker Series will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2019, starting at 7 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo Science and Technology Building room 108. Everyone’s welcome to the free evening presentation on the remarkable wēkiu bug.

Wēkiu bug PC: University of Hawai‘i, Hilo

The genus Nysius contains over 100 species of seed eating insects, with nearly a quarter of those species endemic to Hawai‘i.

Perhaps none of these insects is as remarkable as the wēkiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola), a flightless predator scavenger that consumes insects deposited by wind on the summit of Maunakea. Heather Stever and Dr. Eiben will present what current research is teaching us about this group of insects.

Heather Stever PC: Courtesy Photo University of Hawaii, Hilo

Heather Stever received a Master’s Degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Hawai’i, Hilo in 2016, and is currently working towards a doctoral degree in Quantitative and Systems Biology at the University of California, Merced.

Dr. Jesse Eiben is an assistant professor of Applied Entomology at University of Hawai‘i Hilo, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management. where he teaches entomology and animal science courses while conducting research with undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Eiben PC: University of Hawaii, Hilo

The Mauna Kea Speaker Series is free and open to the public. On-campus parking is open and available without charge after 4 p.m.

About the Maunakea Speaker Series

The Maunakea Speaker Series is a monthly scholar-focused presentation offered as a partnership among the Office of Maunakea Management, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, and the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Department of Physics & Astronomy. This collaborative venture gives the community unprecedented access to fascinating research taking place on Maunakea and other topics unique to the Island of Hawai’i. A venue for scholars to share their stories and learn from discussion, the series promotes understanding and collaboration across all sectors of the community, while addressing the goals of the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.