What are mole crickets?
Mole crickets are one of the most destructive insects of lawn turf in the Southeastern United States. All warm-season grasses can be attacked by mole crickets. However, bahiagrass and Bermuda grass are damaged most severely. Mole crickets damage turfgrass by tunneling and by direct feeding. Their tunneling action loosens the soil so that the grass is uprooted and dies. As they burrow through the soil, they also leave mounds of dirt on the surface. Mole crickets may also feed directly on the grass root systems, which can seriously weaken the plant. Controlling Mole Crickets Insecticides are currently the best control method for mole crickets in turfgrass. Even with the proper product application, control may be limited due to unfavorable temperatures, lack of soil moisture, or both. Irrigation is essential following the application of a spray or granular material to ensure that the material is carried into the root zone where the mole crickets are feeding and tunneling Fleas and Ticks F
Mole crickets (right and below; and picture of mole cricket nymph) are crickets, insects closely related to grasshoppers, that burrow in soil instead of living above ground like other crickets. Mole crickets have front legs that are adapted to burrowing and lack the jumping hind legs that are characteristic of some crickets and grasshoppers. Mole crickets can be important pests in certain crops and turf grass (home lawns, golf courses, sod farms, and so forth). Damage is caused by direct root feeding and the burrowing activity that destroys roots. Mole crickets are omnivores feeding on small soil insects as well as plant roots and shoots. Some species are extremely damaging to turf especially in warm climates like the southeastern US. Mole crickets typically have only one generation per year so populations will tend to grow slowly. They exhibit a simple type of development in which immature mole crickets (nymphs) resemble adults except in size and they lack wings.
Mole crickets (see drawing right and picture of mole cricket here) are crickets, insects closely related to grasshoppers, that burrow in soil instead of living above ground like other crickets. Mole crickets have front legs that are adapted to burrowing and lack the jumping hind legs that are characteristic of some crickets and grasshoppers. Mole crickets can be important pests in certain crops and turf grass (home lawns, golf courses, sod farms, and so forth). Damage is caused by direct root feeding and the burrowing activity that destroys roots. Mole crickets feed on small soil insects as well as plant roots and shoots. Some species are extremely damaging to turf especially in warm climates like the southeastern US. Mole crickets typically have only one generation per year so populations will tend to grow slowly. They exhibit a simple type of development in which immature mole crickets (nymphs) resemble adults except in size and they lack wings.
