Island
Guides
Fucellia thinobia
Cormorant Fly, Kelp Fly
Fucellia thinobia is a small fly in the family Anthomyiidae known primarily from Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Despite being commonly called a "kelp fly," it has no association with kelp; rather, it develops in purge-soaked soil beneath dead cormorants in island rookeries. The species was the focus of intensive research by UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey beginning in 2007, who demonstrated its strict dependence on cormorant carcass sites. Its localized distribution and specialized breeding habitat make it a notable example of island endemism among dipterans.
Maculamiris insulanus
Maculamiris insulanus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Weirauch in 2006. The species is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, specifically Santa Catalina Island and San Clemente Island. As a member of the diverse Miridae family, it belongs to one of the largest families of true bugs, though specific ecological details for this island-endemic species remain poorly documented.