MOLE CRICKETS
northern mole cricket, Neocurtilla hexadactyla (Perty)
and the southern mole cricket, Scapteriscus acletus (Rehn and Hebard)
Description Picture Damage
  • mole crickets are about 1 1/2 inches long
  • golden to chocolate brown and covered with fine velvety hairs
  • strong, heavily sclerotized front legs are adapted for digging
  • make small winding borrows of loosened soil on the surface

    • Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University

  • almost all vegetable crops may be damaged by these pests
  • feed at or slightly below the soil surface on roots, tubers and stems
  • also attack strawberries and other fruit which contacts the soil