In 1915, mynas were introduced to the Cook Islands to control a coconut pest; by 2014, nearly 13,000 had been trapped after becoming pests

A bird introduced to the Cook Islands to control a coconut pest eventually became an unwanted species itself. In 1915, the common myna was brought to the islands to control the coconut stick-insect, a major pest affecting coconut palms. The bird was initially viewed as a biological control agent.