coqui frogs in Volcano, Hawaii page 2

Volcano Coqui Hotline: 443-4023

How often do frogs arrive in Volcano?
Coqui frogs are arriving every day in Volcano! They are brought here clinging to nursery plants and building
materials. Most frogs arrive by hitchhiking on vehicles that park overnight in infested areas.
The number of arrivals is increasing. In 2001, 13 frogs were captured in the Volcano area from the National Park
and Golf Course subdivision to Akatsuka's Nursery; in 2006, 148 frogs were captured within the same boundaries.

Isn't Volcano too cold for coqui frogs?
In 2006, coqui eggs were found in nearby Volcanoes National Park at the 3,800 foot elevation. This indicates that coqui
can breed and multiply in the cool climate of Volcano.
It is true that coqui males (the only noisemakers) do not call in the coldest months December-March.
However, coqui live through the winter months and call and breed the rest of the year.
In fact, coqui can live 4-6 years in Hawai`i

What will happen if coqui get established in Volcano?
The optimal habitat for coqui frogs is dense vegetation. Because Volcano is mostly forested, it could
potentially support frog populations among the highest on the island, over 2,000 adult frogs per acre.

Is the coqui invasion inevitable?
It is inevitable if we do nothing.
The strategy of Volcano's grass-roots coqui control program is to increase the number of volunteer frog
controllers and educate residents about how to avoid bringing frogs into Volcano. Dedicated, trained
volunteers may be able to catch frogs just as soon as they arrive and before they breed, and
control becomes unfeasible.
Some Volcano residents are not upset by one or two coqui calling in the distance. In fact, some people
say they like to hear some night sounds. However, the one or two coqui, if left unchecked,
will inevitably become thousands within a few years. That's why they need to be removed
as soon as they arrive.

How are coqui frogs controlled?
Coqui do not live in trees. They actually live in leaf litter on the forest floor and climb the trees to
call. Females are not captured because they do not call.
Currently, solitary frogs are captured by hand. Volunteers zero in on the male frogs by their sounds.
However, when there are several frogs or egg, we spray EPA approved chemicals, such as citric acid.

How can I find out more about controlling coqui frogs?
After Dark in the Park presentation by Kim Tavares (PDF revised May 2008)
2006 Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park Coqui Control Final Report (PDF)
2008 Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park Coqui Control Final Report (PDF)

For complete information on the biology and control of coqui frogs please see
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/coqui
Also, click "Links" below.