Scientific name: Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)

Classification: Phylum: Arthropoda. Class: Crustacea. Order: Decapoda

Origin: Introduced

Status: Common

Distribution: Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Maui, Big Island

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Introduced originally to Hawai‘i as food for bullfrogs (another bad guy), it is a major problem for taro farmers. It not only eats taro, but it burrows into the earthen walls separating lo‘i, thereby causing the fields to drain of water. It is also a problem for native insects and snails that it also preys upon [ full story ].