Principal source:
Compiler: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
Review: Dr. Fred Kraus, Department of Natural Sciences. Bishop Mueseum Honolulu, Hawaii. USA
Publication date: 2008-12-30
Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Eleutherodactylus coqui. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=105 on 07-10-2024.
In Hawai‘i where the population is seen to be expanding, there are concerns of ecological as well as anthropogenic affects. The main pathway for spread has been through the nursery trade and there are concerns that there may be a negative effect on the export nursery trade, should shipments be banned for harbouring frogs. E. coqui have spread from horticultural sites where they were first restricted to public land, residential areas and resorts. There are concerns that property value may be affected due to the high biomass of frogs on infested sites (Kraus and Campbell, 2002). The high pitched call of the frog is a disturbance and there are fears this may affect the tourism industry (HEAR, 2004).
Physical: Hand-capture is a successful method when dealing with small numbers (Kraus and Campbell, 2002).
Non-chemical: A study by Hara et al (2010) shows that a hot-water shower treatment of ornamental plants in commercial nurseries is an effective disinfestation treatment for coqui eggs, subadults and adults; thus reducing one major potential pathway for the spread of this species. It is recommended that ornamental plants be treated to a 45 degrees C of water for up to 5 min, as this regime is sufficient to achieve mortality of all stages of the frog while being within the tolerance range of many of the host plants. This method would be most effective in enclosed areas before transportation of ornamental plants. (Hara et al. 2010)
Chemical: Field trials are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a direct spray application of a concentrated caffeine and water solution for control on 0.1 - 0.5ha infested plots. If these trials are successful, it is hoped that management agencies in the State of Hawai‘I will be able to reduce the spread and potential impact of these pest species on a landscape scale (Campbell et al. 2002). Spraying of citric acid on infested plants to kill E. coqui eggs, juveniles and adults is recommended (CTAHR, Undated) but evidence of efficacy has not been demonstrated.