Tiny wasp helps save rare bird from extinction

The rare birds live only on Nightingale Island, part of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, one of the most remote places in the world. The bird depends on the fruit of the Phylica arborea, the only native tree on the island.

In 2011, scientists found an invasive insect species on Nightingale Island. Humans had probably brought these sap-sucking insects to the island.

They caused problems by producing a sticky substance called honeydew, which led to the growth of a mold that weakened and eventually killed the trees.

Without these trees, the Wilkins’ bunting would struggle to survive.

To save the bird, scientists from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other organizations came up with a creative solution.

They released a small parasitic wasp called Microterys nietneri on Nightingale Island. These wasps target the invasive insects, stopping them from reproducing and protecting the trees from mold.

The journey to get the wasps to Nightingale Island was long and challenging. They were transported by plane from London to Cape Town in a bag. They were then taken by boat to Tristan da Cunha, and finally to Nightingale Island.

Many wasps died before reaching their destination, only 10 procent survived. In 2021, the first batch was released. Over the next two years, the wasps started to establish a population on the island.

Thanks to the wasps, the forest has started to recover. While the number of birds has decreased, there are still 60-90 breeding pairs on the island.

Scientists are hopeful that the Wilkins’ bunting population will stabilize and recover in the coming years.

Follow for daily animal news – Support animal welfare journalism