Hawaii to spend $4.9M on coqui frog eradication
{{date|May 17, 2006}}

The [[Hawaii]] state legislature has appropriated [[US$]]4.9 million to fight the {{w|coqui}} [[frog]] and other invasive species.

About $2.9 million will be used to hire 58 additional inspectors at Hawaii's airports to improve detection of invasive species, an increase of 75% over the current level.  The remaining $2 million will be used specifically for coqui frog eradication using {{w|citric acid}} and hydrated lime.

Much of the money will go to the Big Island of Hawaii, where the coqui frog infestation is most serious.  About $1.8 million will go to the Big Island, with $150,000 going to {{w|Maui}} and $50,000 each going to {{w|Oahu}} and {{w|Kauai}}.

Native to the [[Caribbean]], the coqui frog is believed to have entered on plants shipped from [[Florida]] or [[Puerto Rico]].  Without natural predators, the frogs' population density has grown to the point where it has become a nuisance.  It is best known for its loud chirping, which keeps some residents on the Big Island and Maui awake at night.

[[Ecology|Ecologists]] also fear that the coquis could threaten native bird species by eating the insects the birds rely on for food.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==

*{{source
|url    = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060517/ap_on_sc/coqui_frogs;_ylt=Au_tcUH72Xu7N_QT73Xa8B6s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM-
|title  = Hawaii Fights Coqui Frogs, Other Species
|author = [[Associated Press]]
|pub    = Yahoo! News
|date   = May 16, 2006
|brokenURL=true
}}

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[[Category: North America]]
[[Category: United States]]
[[Category: Hawaii]]
[[Category: Science and technology]]
[[Category:Species endangerment]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Frogs]]
The Hawaii state legislature has appropriated US$4.9 million to fight the  frog and other invasive species.

About $2.9 million will be used to hire 58 additional inspectors at Hawaii's airports to improve detection of invasive species, an increase of 75% over the current level.  The remaining $2 million will be used specifically for coqui frog eradication using  and hydrated lime.

Much of the money will go to the Big Island of Hawaii, where the coqui frog infestation is most serious.  About $1.8 million will go to the Big Island, with $150,000 going to Oahu and .

Native to the Caribbean, the coqui frog is believed to have entered on plants shipped from Florida or Puerto Rico.  Without natural predators, the frogs' population density has grown to the point where it has become a nuisance.  It is best known for its loud chirping, which keeps some residents on the Big Island and Maui awake at night.

Ecologists also fear that the coquis could threaten native bird species by eating the insects the birds rely on for food.
 North America  United States  Hawaii  Science and technology Species endangerment Biology Frogs