Japanese White-eye, an Introduced Passerine, Visits the Flowers of Clermontia arborescens, an Endemic Hawaiian Lobelioid

Abstract

The Hawaiian Lobelioideae (Campanulaceae) are generally believed to have adapted to pollination by endemic passerine birds belonging to the Drepanidinae (Fringillidae) and Meliphagidae. The widespread extinction of many of these birds has raised concerns about the continued survival of the Hawaiian Lobelioideae. During July 1985, the Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonica Temminck & Schlegel, Zosteropidae), was observed visiting the flowers of one of the endemic lobelioids, Clermontia arborescens (H. Mann) Hillebrand. These observations suggest that the Japanese White-eye may be a potential replacement pollinator for at least one of the Hawaiian lobelioids.