**Northern Mole Crickets** (*Neoscapteriscus borellii* and related species) are large, burrowing insects that are significant **agricultural and turfgrass pests** in the U.S. and globally. They are characterized by their fossorial (digging) front legs, which are specialized for rapid movement through the soil. The conflict is severe: they **damage plants by cutting roots** while tunneling, and their tunneling activity on the surface creates **disruptive, raised ridges and mounds** that severely compromise turfgrass quality (lawns, golf courses, pastures).
Taxonomy and Classification
Mole Crickets belong to the order Orthoptera (Crickets and Grasshoppers). They undergo simple metamorphosis (incomplete). The species known as the “Northern” mole cricket is often an invasive South American species (*N. borellii*), which has spread and displaced native, less damaging species. They are also known for the loud, distinct chirping produced by the males from their subsurface burrows.
Physical Description
Adult Mole Crickets are large, 1 to 1.5 inches long.
- **Appearance (Key ID):** Light to dark brown, stout, cylindrical body. Most distinctive are the large, shovel-like, spiny **forelegs**, resembling a mole’s front feet.
- **Diet:** They are primarily herbivores (root feeders), though some species are omnivorous.
- **Damage Sign (Key ID):**
- **Tunneling:** Raised, winding soil ridges or tunnels running across the surface of lawns and turf, which dry out the soil and lift the grass roots.
- **Dead Patches:** Irregular, wilted, or dead patches of turf resulting from severed roots below the surface.
- **Sound:** Loud, continuous chirping/singing from below the ground at night.
- **Conflict:** Turfgrass destruction and root feeding.
Distribution and Habitat
Northern Mole Crickets are established across the Southeastern U.S., but the species has been found as far north as New Jersey. Their habitat is moist, loose, sandy soils, particularly those under irrigated turfgrass, pastures, and commercial vegetable fields.
Behavior and Conflict
The conflict is dominated by physical disruption and root damage.
- **Tunneling Stress:** The tunneling creates air pockets in the soil and physically separates the turf roots from the soil, leading to rapid desiccation and turf death, especially during hot, dry periods.
- **Night Activity:** They are most active at night, when they surface to forage and fly, making detection difficult.
- **Invasive Nature:** Invasive mole cricket species are highly successful and often displace the less-damaging, native North American species, causing greater economic loss.
Management and Prevention
Control is integrated pest management (IPM), with a focus on biological control and timing chemical applications.
- **Soap Flush:** Mix soapy water (e.g., 1 tablespoon of dish soap in 1 gallon of water) and pour it over a small section of turf. Crickets will rapidly surface, allowing population estimation and species identification.
- **Tachinid Fly (*Ormia depleta*):** This parasitic fly is highly successful at reducing mole cricket populations by laying eggs on the crickets.
- **Nematodes:** The beneficial nematode *Steinernema scapterisci* is specifically registered for mole cricket control and is effective when applied correctly.
- **Timing:** Apply baits or granular insecticides when the crickets are small (nymphs), typically in late spring or early summer, before they mature and become more damaging and resistant to control.
Conservation and Research
Northern Mole Crickets are managed as high-priority turf and agricultural pests. Research focuses on mass-rearing and release programs for their natural enemies (flies and nematodes), optimizing chemical bait attractiveness, and developing resistant turfgrass varieties.