The coqui (pronounced ‘ko-kee’) is a small frog that was first introduced to Hawaii, and the Big Island, in 1988 from Florida by accident.
About the coqui
Originally from Puerto Rico, the coqui arrived in nursery plants and quickly became established, in particular on the Big Island. The coqui makes a distinctive whistling sound at night that sounds almost identical to its name (‘ko-kee’). This sound can be quite loud, reaching up to 95 decibels.
The coqui is small, about 1-2 inches in size, and is usually a light tan color, although they can also be a darker brown. They are mostly found near ground level, in bush or amongst other plant cover.
The coqui in Hawaii
The coqui populations have proliferated in Hawaii due to the lack of a natural predator and numbers can reach a density level of 2,000 per acre. This is significantly larger than the density levels found in its native Puerto Rico. The coqui consume a large amount of insects from the natural environment, which has impacted pollination systems. They eat invertebrate prey, and since Hawaii’s native invertebrates are already threatened this has led to a disturbance in the fragile Hawaiian ecosystem. There is also an impact on the exporting of plants from the islands.
Treatment
Attempts at eradication of the coqui on the Big Island remain unsuccessful, although attempts on Oahu and Kauai have been successful in the past. Use of citric acid remains the approved means of eradication by the USDA. Frogs absorb the acid and this treatment is generally effective. Coqui are more invasive in East Hawaii, though they are found across the island.
Horizon Guest House uses citric acid to treat the coqui and keep the noise of their distinctive chirp to a minimum and at a pleasant distance!