Neoscapteriscus didactylus

Distinguished from other mole crickets by the presence of four dactyls on the foretibia (the specific epithet 'didactylus' refers to this feature, though the count is actually four). Neoscapteriscus borellii has two dactyls; Scapteriscus vicinus has two dactyls. The genus Neoscapteriscus is separated from Scapteriscus by subtle genitalic differences not visible in field observation. Accurate identification to species requires examination of foretibial dactyl count and male genitalia.

Subterranean habitats in moist, sandy or loamy soils. Found in agricultural fields, pastures, lawns, and natural grasslands. Requires well-drained but moist soil for burrowing and feeding. Elevation range not well documented but occurs from lowlands to moderate elevations in Andean foothills.

Native to northern South America: Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and northeastern Brazil (Maranhão, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia). Introduced to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Records from other locations require verification.

Strictly fossorial, spending nearly all life stages underground in self-constructed tunnel systems. Constructs shallow feeding tunnels near the soil surface and deeper permanent burrows. Males produce loud, chirping advertisement calls from within burrow openings, often at night. Calling song has been described as a continuous trill. Flight capability is limited or absent in most individuals; dispersal occurs primarily through walking and human-mediated transport in soil.

Soil ecosystem engineer through burrowing activity, which aerates soil and alters soil structure. May contribute to nutrient cycling by feeding on organic matter in soil. Potential prey for subterranean predators including insectivorous mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.

Common name 'Changa' reflects cultural recognition in Latin America. Potential agricultural pest of turfgrass, pastures, and root crops, though specific damage reports for N. didactylus are less documented than for congeneric species like N. borellii and N. vicinus in North America. Has been introduced to the Dominican Republic, where it may impact local agriculture.

• Neoscapteriscus borelliiOverlapping distribution in South America; distinguished by having two dactyls on foretibia versus four in N. didactylus
• Scapteriscus vicinusSimilar body form and fossorial habit; distinguished by two foretibial dactyls and different male genitalia; primarily North American distribution

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life