The coqui frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui Thomas (Anura: Leptodactylidae), was accidentally introduced into Hawai’i from Puerto Rico in about 1988. Aside from being a major noise nuisance, the frogs pose a threat to Hawai’i’s island ecosystem.

In its native Puerto Rico, the female coqui frog usually lays a cluster or clutch of 34-75 eggs four to six times a year; however, under laboratory conditions in Hawai`i, mating pairs produce a clutch every 2½ weeks without loss of fertility – that’s 26 clutches a year, or more than 1,400 eggs per female per year! It takes about 8 months for froglets to mature. Adult coqui frogs may live as long as 4-6 years.

Coqui populations have exploded in the last 15 years from presumably a single infestation to over 200 on Hawai’i Island alone.  Puerto Rico averages 40 frogs (reproductively mature adults, not including juveniles) per 20 by 20 meter plot compared to greater than 200 in Hawai’i Island plots, primarily because of the lack of predators (owls, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions) in Hawai’i.

The presence of male coqui frogs is signaled by their calls.  Here is information on coqui frog calls:

What a Coqui Frog Call Sounds Like

I Hear Coqui in My Neighborhood. What Should I Do?

Here’s a release form for property owners who are willing to grant access to our coqui hunting group to enter their property to destroy coqui. Completed forms should be emailed to wcapres@hawaiiantel.net or mailed to the Waimea Community Association at P.O. Box 2655, Kamuela, HI 96743.

Here’s a sample flyer which can be used to invite your neighbors to a meeting about coqui.

Individual property owners are encouraged to eliminate coqui frogs on their properties.  Here are techniques that can be used to control coqui frogs:

Methods of Control

An almost passive method of control is to build and set out refugia lures for nesting males.  A corresponent in Hilo has reported that these lures really work in his yard.  Some nights, he catches as many as 8; sometimes, he goes several days without catching any.  The State website shows a tee on a straight piece of PVC pipe but our correspondent adds a cap at the bottom and fills the trap 1/3 to 1/2 full of water. The PVC pieces are not glued together. He ties the traps to hapu’u or trees or to a bamboo stake.

Refugia Lures

How to catch a coqui

Myths about coqui in Waimea

For More Information:

• Big Island Invasive Species Committee: to report new coqui infestations, call 961-3299
• County Loan Sprayer: borrow a sprayer for free from a nearby community liaison: 961-8065
• State DLNR/Div. of Forestry and Wildlife: call for information or if you hear coqui in State land. 217-5856
• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: If you business is exporting plants from the island, call to schedule use of the hot water treatment facility: 981-5199
• Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture: exporting plants? call 974-4140

Active Coqui Community Groups

• Hamakua: Hamakua Individuals Joining Against Coqui (776-1150)
• Ka’u: O Ka’u Kakou (265-8251)
• Kohala: Kohala Coqui Coalition: (889-5775)
• Lower Puna: Malama O Puna (865-2000)
• South Kona: Honaunau Ke’ei Coqui Watch (896-2110)
• Volcano: Volcano Coquistadores (443-4023)

Websites

• http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/species/frogs/
• http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/coqui/
• http://www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/pests/coqui.html