Mole crickets

Definition

Cylindrical, fossorial orthopterans in the family Gryllotalpidae, characterized by small eyes, short antennae, and greatly enlarged, shovel-like forelegs adapted for digging. Adults are typically 3–5 cm in length and live primarily underground, feeding on roots and other subterranean plant material. Several introduced species, particularly in the genus Scapteriscus, have become significant agricultural pests in turfgrass and pasture systems.

Etymology

From English mole (burrowing mammal) + cricket, referring to their subterranean lifestyle and orthopteran affinities.

Example

The tawny mole cricket (Neoscapteriscus vicinus) damages Bermudagrass golf greens by tunneling through the root zone and feeding on roots, causing irregular patches of dead turf that can be lifted like loose carpet.

Synonyms

• Gryllotalpids

Related Terms

• Fossorial
• Orthoptera
• Gryllotalpidae
• Scapteriscus
• root-feeding pests
• subterranean insects
• foreleg modification

Usage Notes

Strictly refers to members of family Gryllotalpidae, not to other burrowing orthopterans such as sand crickets (family Cylindrachetidae) or camel crickets. The common name is sometimes applied loosely to any burrowing cricket-like insect, but specialists reserve it for Gryllotalpidae. Distinguish from 'mole crickets' used in pest management contexts, where the term specifically signals economically damaging introduced species in the genera Scapteriscus and Neoscapteriscus in the southeastern United States.