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Southern and tawny mole cricket adults are similar in appearance and habits. Adults are relatively large crickets, 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm in body lengths. The bodies are elongate and cylindrical, with prominent, round heads, oval thoracic shields (pronota) and elongate, soft abdomens. The predominant colors are various shades of brown or brownish-yellow. They possess broad, paddle-shaped forelegs and lack the enlarged hind legs characteristic of most members of the order Orthoptera. Each foreleg is equipped with two sharp claws and a sharp-edged, blade-like structure. Adults possess leathery forewings that cover the hind wings. The latter are rolled into a tubular shape above the abdomen when not deployed for flight. Specimens of the two species may be separated based on differences in the structures of the forelegs, lengths of the wings and color patterns. Immature mole crickets are similar to adults but are smaller and lack well developed wings. Eggs are quite large, oval and up to 4 mm in length when fully developed.
These two species are common and widespread in Louisiana. At least one other mole cricket species occurs in Louisiana, the native northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla), but is less commonly encountered. The song of the northern mole cricket is a series of distinct chirps, while that of the southern mole cricket is a long continuous trill.
Mole crickets undergo incomplete metamorphosis comprising three life stages: egg, immature (or nymph) and adult. Immatures and adults are subterranean burrowers at depths that vary according to surface conditions, going deeper during hot dry weather. They may forage on the surface at night and during wet weather. Both species are omnivorous, but the southern mole cricket is mainly predatory on insects, and the tawny mole cricket is mainly herbivorous. They favor moist, loose soils and produce visible trails on the surface reminiscent of miniature mole runs, thus the common name.
In Louisiana, both species undergo one generation per year across most of the state, although two generations are possible in the south. Newly emerged adults and nymphs overwinter. The following spring, adult males produce a courtship song to attract females during the evening, particularly during rainy weather. The song consists of a continuous trill that can be difficult to locate even in close proximity. Mated females prepare an underground cavity and deposit up to 50 eggs. Nymphs hatch after several weeks to as long as a month later, depending on temperature. They immediately disperse unless cannibalized by siblings.
Both southern and tawny mole crickets are introduced species from southern South America. First records of both species are from southeastern U.S. during the early part of the 20th century. They quickly spread throughout southern U.S., and the southern mole cricket eventually reached California. Turf and forage grasses are the normal food plants for tawny mole crickets. The species has also been associated with damage to vegetable crops such as tomato and strawberries. The most serious damage is to seedlings due to stem feeding. Below ground damage has also been reported on roots and tubers.
In turfgrass, liquid and granular insecticides can be applied in the soil to control serious infestations of mole crickets. Irrigating the soil before applying insecticides can increase effectiveness. The use of entomopathogenic nematodes such as Steinernema scapterisci, is also used in turfgrass management to control mole crickets. Water suspension formulations are available from commercial suppliers that can be applied to the soil. Nematodes exhibit good persistence in the soil and show greater effectiveness against adult mole crickets compared to nymphs. However, the most effective management strategy is to maintain healthy turfgrass using cultural best practices. Healthy turfgrass typically recovers quickly from occasional infestations of mole crickets.
Contact Us: For advice about pest identification or diagnosis, contact the LSU AgCenter Department of Entomology. Reach the department through the Contact Us webpage.
Authors: Alejandra Velez, Chris Carlton
P4019
9/16/25
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