Assessment Rationale:

Pinalitus oromii is an endemic capsid bug species present in eight islands of the Azorean archipelago, not being recorded so far from Corvo (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). It has a relatively small area of occupancy (AOO = 240 km²), but a large extent of occurrence (EOO = ca. 39,000 km²). It is usually associated with native forest, occurring in eighteen Natural Forest Reserves of Azores. It is a generalist canopy phytophagous species that has been found on different native plants, but also in some exotic plants. The quality of the habitat is decreasing due to the spread of invasive species (Hedychium gardnerianum) that is changing the habitat structure. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts). The species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) due to the widespread distribution and high abundance in the canopies of many native and exotic trees and shrubs, having also a high range of altitude occupancy (100-2100 m).

Geographic Range:

Pinalitus oromii is an endemic capsid bug present in eight islands of the Azorean archipelago, not being recorded so far from Corvo (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). Within these eight islands it is known from all eighteen Natural Forest Reserves of Caldeiras Funda e Rasa and Morro Alto e Pico da Sé (Flores); Caldeira do Faial and Cabeço do Fogo (Faial); Mistério da Prainha, Caveiro and Caiado (Pico); Pico Pinheiro and Topo (S. Jorge); Biscoito da Ferraria, Pico Galhardo, Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Caldeira Sta. Bárbara e Mistérios Negros and Terra Brava (Terceira); Atalhada, Graminhais and Pico da Vara (S. Miguel) and Pico Alto (Sta. Maria). The extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 39,000 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 240 km².

Population:

Pinalitus oromii is a widespread and abundant species. The species presents a stable population in pristine sites in some islands (Gaspar et al. 2011). However, at least in some islands the area of occupancy of this species continues to decline due to habitat degradation in the native forest (mostly due to invasive plants) and to habitat fragmentation, which imply an inferred impact on subpopulation densities.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs mainly in the Azorean native forest with an altitudinal range between 100 and 2100 m (there are records of this species in high altitudes in Pico mountain). It is a generalist day active generalist phytophagous species that has been found on different native plants, but also in some exotic plants. It is particularly common in the canopies of endemic trees, but also in herbs. Based on seasonal data from SLAM traps obtained in several islands between 2012 and 2016, the adults are active all year, being most abundant in spring and summer, but also with high densities in the winter (Borges et al. 2017).

Major Threat(s):

In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size and quality (Triantis et al. 2010). However, the species survived in some remaining native forests of the Azores, as well as in some Human modified habitats. The main current threat is the spread of invasive plant species namely Hedychium gardnerianum and Pittosporum undulatum. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts and habitat shifting & alteration).

Conservation Actions

The species is not protected by regional law. Its habitat is in regionally protected areas (Natural Parks of Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, S. Jorge, Terceira, S. Miguel and Sta. Maria). Degraded habitats should be restored and a strategy needs to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. It is necessary a monitoring plan for the invertebrate community in the habitat in order to contribute to the conservation of this species. A habitat management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years. Monitoring every ten years using the BALA protocol will inform about habitat quality (see e.g. Gaspar et al. 2010).