The coqui frog Hawaii is an invasive species that has invaded forests and infiltrated backyard habitats. This tree frog has a noisy call which many have claimed to be annoying and prevents getting a good night’s sleep. Being able to identify this species of tree frog helps control and prevent the growth of the population.
The coqui frog is native to Puerto Rico and, through accidental transportation, has quickly inhabited other tropical regions of the world. This tree frog was accidentally brought into Hawaii in plants, lumber, and other imported goods. There are more than several species of coqui frogs. These species are found in tropical areas, including Puerto Rico, Hawaii, southern Florida, Southern California, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
This small tree frog varies in color based on species, elevation, and habitat. Most coqui frogs are a mixture of gray, green, yellow, and brown on the top of their bodies. Their bottom sides are generally white or yellow with some brown speckles. Their eyes are variations of gold and brown. Coqui frogs are small tree frogs measuring a bit larger than one inch in length. They have a round body with a rounded snout.
Female coquis tend to be a bit larger than males. The difference between sexes is a result of the breeding habits of the frogs. Additionally, tree frogs in higher elevations tend to be larger than those found at sea level. Young coquis hatch looking like tiny frogs, entirely skipping the tadpole phase.
Coqui frogs are classified with the genus name Eleutherodactylus. This classification is Ancient Greek for “free toes.” This classification is about the fact that coqui frogs do not have webbing between their toes. Instead, they have small disks which act like suction cups. This feature alone differentiates coqui frogs from all other species of frogs. These suction cups help the frog climb and stick to smooth, moist surfaces, such as trees and leaves.
The coqui frog mostly eats insects. Some preferred insects include crickets, cockroaches, beetles, and spiders—some larger coquis feast on small lizards and other frogs. Smaller coquis, such as newly hatched frogs, eat ants and other smaller insects.
Coquis love tropical climates close to sea level, which is why they have rapidly spread throughout Hawaii. Over time and as populations have grown, coquis have needed to seek new habitats in higher elevations. It is not uncommon to find these tree frogs in elevations as high as 4,000 feet above sea level in humid mountain forests.
Though the coqui frog Hawaii prefers to live in forested areas, it is found in residential areas where human activity is present. These frogs are found near houses in residential areas, in perimeter plants, near parks, around lakes, and along rivers.
More active at night, coquis like areas where there is plenty of vegetation to hide among. They seek shelter from the sun and prefer easy access to plants to climb in and lay their eggs. Some coquis hide near greenhouses and other buildings where there is a lot of vegetation.
Coquis reproduce all year long, with peak breeding seasons happening during the wet season. Females can lay between 15 and 40 eggs on plant leaves up to five times per year. The males gather all the eggs and protect them in a nest. The male will gather moisture which he uses to keep the eggs hydrated.
The coqui frog completes the tadpole phase of its life cycle within the egg. When hatched, the coqui baby looks like a very tiny frog. When coquis reach the full adult stage, they generally do not live longer than one year. However, the National Wildlife Foundation has reported there are some coquis as old as six years old.
The coqui frog found its way to Hawaii in the mid-1990s. It is believed these tree frogs hitched a ride with shipments from tropical regions, which included nursery plants. These frogs negatively affect local ecosystems and are not native to Hawaii. Coqui frogs are considered to be a pest and invasive species.
The population of coqui frog Hawaii can reach as much as 20,000 frogs per acre. The populations have increased and spread through the islands; some communities have set up coqui watch programs. These programs help spot these tree frogs and keep them away from residential neighborhoods.
Hawaii and federal lawmakers are working on programs to control and remediate the frogs. These programs have been discussed since the frogs first arrived in Hawaii. There have even been attempts to make it a felony to transport – intentionally and unintentionally – these frogs. Research continues to work on ways to keep the coqui frog populations in check without affecting local ecosystems.
Coqui frogs feed on large amounts of insects found within their local environment. They have a healthy appetite, meaning that they can quickly eat up all the available food other species rely on for survival when introduced to a new ecosystem. When these tree frogs eat up all the cockroaches, spiders, crickets, and beetles, they leave very little for native animals, such as birds and bats, to eat. Some coqui frogs eat small lizards and frogs.
The introduction of coqui frogs can drastically disrupt an ecosystem. By reducing available food for native animals, it throws off the balance of the food chain. Fewer insects result in fewer animals, such as birds and bats, which feed on them. Competing for food eventually results in fewer animals that prey on birds and bats. The upset ecosystem can also negatively affect native plant life.
The coqui population can spread fast because these tree frogs have very few predators. Additionally, these frogs are capable of breeding all year long. The fast growth and little predatory threats can cause a significant and swift disruption of an ecosystem.
The loud call from male coquis is known to be very noisy. These loud calls often make it difficult for people to sleep at night. The loud call has harmed tourism in Hawaii.
There is also a fear of spreading coquis through exports of native plants. This fear has decreased the export of plant sales from Hawaii. Additionally, disclosing coqui populations is required by homeowners selling their homes. The call can result in reduced poetry values in areas where coquis are very prevalent.
If coquis are found in plants or backyards, it is imperative to relocate them away from residential areas. There are lethal and non-lethal methods to handle unwanted coqui populations. Contact a local pest control specialist for help dealing with coqui frogs in Hawaii. The sooner action is taken to remove this invasive species, the fewer chances it can turn into a full-blown infestation.
Yes. The call of the male coqui can be very annoying. It is loud and has hindered the quality of a person’s sleep. The frog is named after the call it makes – co-kee. The “co” sound acts as a warning to other male frogs. The warning is because the male coqui is very territorial, protecting up to five square feet. However, the call can be heard as far away as a quarter-mile. The “kee’ part of the call acts as a mating call attracting females.
These calls last hours, starting at sunset and continuing until sunrise. Some higher elevations of Hawaii receive relief from the call. The relief is because the coqui calls in higher elevations tend to cease around midnight.
It is a considerable endeavor to remove all coqui frogs from Hawaii. It is best to start with controlling the existing population and preventing future growth. There are both lethal and non-lethal methods to removing coqui frogs from an area. Additionally, homeowners can make their backyards less appealing to these tree frogs. By doing so, it forces the coquis to find alternative habitats further away from residential areas.
It is possible to control the coqui population. However, it takes a lot of work. First, the intentional transportation of coqui frogs must be banned, which Hawaii has done. Other methods include those that eradicate tree frogs from backyards and plants.
The use of a hot shower on plants destroys eggs and kills adult coquis. The use of citric acid is legal in Hawaii and can be used to eradicate coqui infestations. These are both lethal control methods. There are some non-lethal methods homeowners can use to remove coquis from their backyards.
Non-lethal methods include removing any debris from the yard and cleaning up trees and eliminating places where coquis like to hide and avoid the sun—keeping bug populations under control limit available food sources for coquis. Without places to hide, get water, and insects to eat, coquis will be forced to find a new habitat.
There are a few other frogs found in Hawaii which look like coqui frogs. The most common frog confused with the coqui is the greenhouse frog. This frog is smaller than one inch in length and has copper, warty textured skin. The body of the greenhouse frog is a bit narrower than the coqui. The toe pads of the greenhouse frog are also less distinct than that of the coqui.
The greenhouse frog is from the Caribbean and is another invasive species in Hawaii. These frogs prefer to live on the forest floor, while the coqui prefers to live in the trees. The two frogs’ calls differ as the greenhouse frog sounds more like a cricket versus the screeching call of the coqui.
Coqui frogs in Hawaii are an invasive species and not native to the islands. Because of this, this tree frog can harm the native ecosystem. Additionally, the annoying call can become significantly disrupting to a person’s sleep habits. Call a local pest control specialist trained in handling coqui frogs. The specialist can help determine the extent of the problem and develop a plan to remove and control the coqui frog population.
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