Neoscapteriscus

Cadena-Castañeda, 2015

mole crickets

Species Guides

Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus(short-winged mole cricket)
Neoscapteriscus borellii(Southern Mole Cricket)
Neoscapteriscus didactylus(Changa)
Neoscapteriscus vicinus(tawny mole cricket)

Neoscapteriscus is a of two-clawed mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae) containing at least 23 described . Members are subterranean insects with forelegs adapted for tunneling. Several species are significant turfgrass and pasture pests in the Americas, including the tawny (N. vicinus) and southern mole cricket (N. borellii). The genus was established by Cadena-Castañeda in 2015, separating these species from the related genus .

Neoscapteriscus vicinus by (c) Irvin Louque, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Irvin Louque. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neoscapteriscus: //ˌniː.oʊˌskæpˈtɛr.ɪskəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from by the presence of two claws on the foretibiae rather than four. Forelegs are broad, spade-like, and modified for digging. Body cylindrical, with reduced wings in some . Specific species-level identification requires examination of genitalia and detailed morphological features.

Images

Habitat

Subterranean in sandy or loose soils. Associated with turfgrass systems, pastures, golf courses, and lawns where soil conditions permit tunneling.

Distribution

Caribbean; Brazil; Argentina (Northeast, South, Northwest). Distribution records primarily from South America and Caribbean islands.

Diet

Root-feeding herbivores. N. vicinus has been documented feeding on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) roots.

Host Associations

bermudagrass - herbivoreCynodon dactylon; documented for N. vicinus

Behavior

Constructs extensive tunnel systems through soil. Tunneling uproots plants and damages root systems. Exhibits avoidance behavior to certain including fipronil and imidacloprid, detected through contact chemoreception. Shows increased locomotory activity and tunneling in response to acephate and bifenthrin exposure. Reduced spatial movement observed with fipronil and imidacloprid exposure.

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural and turfgrass pests. Tunneling and root-feeding damage reduces forage quality in pastures and degrades turf aesthetics. Target of applications including fipronil, imidacloprid, bifenthrin, and acephate. Subject to research including rhizobacterial treatments to enhance plant .

Similar Taxa

ScapteriscusHistorically congeneric; distinguished by four claws on foretibiae versus two in Neoscapteriscus

More Details

Taxonomic history

established in 2015 by Cadena-Castañeda, reclassifying formerly placed in . Contains at least 23 described species including economically important pests N. vicinus and N. borellii.