Invasive coqui frogs found in Waimanalo triggering eradication campaign

An infestation of coqui frogs, the Caribbean species famous for their piercing, sustained nocturnal calls, has been uncovered in a remote area of Waimanalo by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, triggering a multi-agency eradication campaign, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced today.

The primary impact zone appears to be about an acre along the base of the mountains in Waimanalo where 65 of the brown frogs, which grow up to 2” long, have been hand captured thus far and an incident command structure has been established.

Eleutherodactylus coqui was first detected in the late 1980s on Hawaii Island where the frogs have become entrenched. A major noise nuisance, they pose a threat to native eco-systems, DLNR said, noting coqui compete with native birds to eat insects and spiders.

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