Invasive species in Hawaii and health-related problems. The introduction of mosquitoes to Hawaii has resulted in the spread of avian malaria, and increases the risk of dengue and west Nile virus (not known to be in Hawaii yet). Other native species can be affected by invasive species diseases as well, such as the once-dominant koa tree being killed by koa wilt, which is believed to have been brought into Hawaii on an ornamental acacia plant, and the 'ohi'a tree, now being affected by Rapid Ohia Death. Invasive predators can severely reduce the population sizes of native species, or even drive them extinct, because native
ʻApapane Lānai. Apapane generally feed on nectar from flowers, preferably from the "ōhia lehua" ("Metrosideros polymorpha") tree. These birds are mainly found in "koa" ("Acacia koa") and "ōhia lehua" forests where the flower count is high. Although primarily nectarivorous, the diet of a grown apapane also includes a variety of insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars and bugs of all sorts. The breeding season is from January through July. The nest of the apapane is usually placed in the crown of a "ōhia lehua" ("Metrosideros polymorpha"); nests have been found in tree cavities and lava tubes as well as in the top of