In addition, breeding habitat (Acacia koa) is threatened by browsing from non-native black-tailed deer.

Invasive plants such as Psidium cattleianum, Lantana camara, Melinis minutiflora, and Rubus argutus threaten the conservation of D. musaphilia and other members of the native Hawaiian ecosystem.

[1] These plants can overwhelm native species and outcompete them for access to light.

In addition, flammable grass species such as Melinis minutiflora contribute to rapidly spreading forest fires.

These threats are especially relevant to the conservation of D. musaphilia, as the breeding substrate for this species is thought to be inherently rare.