UES 150 Fall 2020

Coqui tree frogs are native to Puerto Rico’s rainforests and got their names from the noise that they make that literally sounds out their name, Co-qui. They are tiny, only growing to 1 to 2 inches in length and 2 to 4 ounces in weight, yet the noise that they make can reach a deafening 90 decibels. The noise that they make is designed to attract mates and their scientific name translated means free toes because they do not have webbed feet.

These frogs travel very short distances, however, can be transported great distances. They can infest nurseries for plants and flowers that are being exported to other countries. One of the main areas that the frog has infested is Hawaii. Hawaii is struggling with property devalue issues because the noise of the frogs is disruptive to visitors and people that are investing in Hawaiian properties. They have traveled by way of plants and human travel to specific islands of Hawaii. Maui, Kaua’i, and O’ahu are infested with this invasive species, while Moloka’i and Lana’i currently do not have these frogs on the island.

The characteristics that make it so successful are the size of the frogs and the fact that there are absolutely no natural predators. It is surprising that no one species in the life-filled rainforests for such a small amphibian. Another aspect is that they have no native competition for food sources or habitual tendency.

Since there are no predators or competition, Coqui frogs are free to roam and thrive with no consequence. They disrupt the balance of native ecosystems by the sheer number of insects that they are able to feast upon. They kill extremely large quantities of ants, spiders, crickets, and other small insects. This has an impact on the plants throughout the rainforests because the insects that pollinate and provide ecosystems with other services that they provide for life to flourish. There is an even more influential importance to stop the spread of these frogs to delicate ecosystems where one imbalance can decimate populations of wildlife and plants.

Eradication attempts have been difficult. There is a widespread amount of reporting systems that I have found that people can input findings to local areas. Habitat limitation and plant nursery biosecurity efforts have been the main source of eradication attempt for these frogs.