7/2/2013 - By Dr. Raymond Snyder

Full article available at Superintendent Magazine

Unfortunately, control of mole crickets isn't a simple spray-and-pray operation. It requires a sound understanding of the biology and life cycle of the insect, among other things.

In many parts of the United States, the mole cricket has become the new No. 1 - the pest that has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Not only do mole crickets cause damage by feeding on turf roots and shoots, extensive disruption can be created by their tunneling activity as they search for food. On a golf course putting green, this results in unacceptable damage to the playing surface.

Control of mole crickets isn't a simple spray- and-pray operation. It requires a sound understanding of the biology and life cycle of the insect, a regular monitoring program, quick action once an infestation is spotted, implementation of pretreatment techniques and timely application of effective control materials.

Mole cricket species

There are several mole cricket species that damage turf, but only three are considered serious pests. The tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus) is generally considered the most destructive because it feeds exclusively on the root and shoots of turf. The southern mole cricket (Scapteriscus Borelli), which occur primarily in the southern and southwestern U.S., feed a little on the roots, but mostly eat other insects. Like the tawny mole cricket, short-winged mole crickets (Scapteriscus abbreviatus) are vegetarians and feed only on plant material. However, tawny, southern and short-winged mole crickets tunnel extensively in search of food resources, creating significant interference with golf activity. Northern mole crickets (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) occur from Nebraska south to Texas and along the East Coast from southern Canada to Florida. This native insect rarely injures turf.

Life cycle

The life cycle of most mole crickets is similar and has three distinct developmental stages: egg, nymph and adult. In most regions, they have one generation per year, but in southern Texas and portions of Florida there may be two generations.

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