Several species. Adults and nymphs: Light brown; large eyes; short, stout front legs with shovellike feet; up to 1 l/2 inches long.
Tomato and potato.
Make burrows in soil; uproot young plants in seed beds.
In Florida and in coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Rarely found in Virginia.
In their underground winter habitat overwintering nymphs become active in early spring and begin feeding. In late spring the newly mature adults leave the soil and begin mating. Female mole crickets form a cell in the soil in which they deposit 35 to 50 eggs. Nymphs may hatch in as little as ten days with warm temperatures or in over a month with cooler temperatures. There are eight instars and a single generation annually.
No known cultural controls.
A spray mixture of hot pepper, soap, and water can help to control mole crickets. Effectiveness of control may be increased when spray is applied following a heavy rain or irrigation.
Contact your local county extension agent if you feel you have problems with mole crickets.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
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Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA)