Mole Crickets Information
Species & Identification
Two species of mole crickets are major pests of turfgrass in South Carolina—the tawny mole cricket (Neoscapteriscus vicinus) and the southern mole cricket (Neoscapteriscus borellii). Both species are introduced from South America. They are currently distributed from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas and are most prevalent and damaging in the sandy soil along the coastal plains of the Southeast. Isolated populations can also be found in Arizona and California. The distribution of the southern mole cricket extends further inland than the tawny mole cricket. Another introduced species, the short-winged mole cricket (Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus), can be problematic in Florida and Georgia. The native northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is widely distributed and is more active in areas along lakes, streams, and swamps but rarely damaging to turfgrass.
Damage & Symptoms
Tawny mole crickets are herbivorous and feed on all parts of turfgrass, whereas southern mole crickets are predatory and prefer feeding on earthworms and insects over plant materials. All mole cricket species tunnel through the soil causing significant damage to root systems by uprooting turfgrass. This uprooting causes desiccation damage and breaks pre-emergent herbicide barriers.
Life Cycle
Mole crickets have one generation per year in South Carolina. Peak adult flight and tunneling activity typically occurs in April through May; however, adult tunneling activity can occur as early as February during warm days. Females lay two to five egg clusters, each containing 25 to 60 eggs, in chambers constructed of moist sand. Egg chambers are typically located in the upper 12 inches of soil. Eggs incubate for 10 to 40 days before hatching. Tawny mole cricket eggs hatch in May to July and southern mole cricket eggs hatch in June to July. Small nymphs do not create noticeable tunnels; therefore, the mole crickets appear to have “disappeared” in the spring and early summer and “reappear” in late summer once older nymphs begin to create noticeable tunnels. The nymphs become adults in September through November, and the fall adult flight occurs in October.
Scouting
Mole crickets tend to remain in the same areas from year to year. Mapping these areas and scouting in the spring and fall will facilitate the spot treatment of these high‑risk areas. Tunneling activity is easily seen and indicates infested areas. Soapy water flushes are the best way to scout for mole crickets. Mole crickets driven to the turf surface by soapy water flush can be captured, and their life stage and egg load (if adults) can be determined to identify the timing of egg hatch and young nymphs, which are the life stages most susceptible to insecticide treatment.
Cultural Control
No turfgrass species or cultivars is immune to mole crickets. Damage is more apparent in shortly mowed turf; therefore, increasing mowing height may help mask the damage in some situations. Promoting the growth of healthy turfgrass through proper fertilization, irrigation, and soil conditioning (e.g., aerification and topdressing) is the best cultural‑based defense against mole crickets.
Biological Control
Several predators and parasitoids of mole crickets have been released in Florida and Georgia. The wasp, Larra bicolor, has spread naturally to other areas in the southeastern states. This wasp cannot be purchased and released. A nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, was previously available commercially. Currently, no commercial product containing this nematode species is available for purchase. The impact of native predators, such as ground beetles and birds, is unknown.
Chemical Control
A major goal of mole cricket management is to reduce the severity of their tunneling damage. However, treating against adult mole crickets in early spring (February to April) and in fall (September to November), when the tunnels are most obvious, is not particularly effective because adults are less susceptible to insecticide treatment and they can more effectively detect and avoid insecticide residue. Some of the most effective insecticides against adults or older nymphs include acephate and fipronil. Baits containing indoxacarb and carbaryl are also effective in early spring and late fall applications.
| Active Ingredient(s) | Trade Name(s) | Rate (per 1000 ft²) | Use Site(s) | IRAC Code(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acephate | Acephate; Livid, Orthene Turf, Tree, Ornamental, Orthene TTO 97; Acephate 97 WDG | 0.8-1.6 oz, 1.0-2.0 oz, 0.8-1.4 oz | G, G S, G S | 1B |
| Acephate + bifenthrin | Acenthrin | 0.8-1.4 oz | G S | 1B + 3A |
| Acephate + imidacloprid | Avatar PLX | 1.6-2.8 oz | G S | 1B + 4A |
| Azadirachtin | AzaGuard; Molt-X; Ornazin, Azatin O; NEEMIX 4.5, AzaSol | 10-16 fl oz, 0.75-9 fl oz, 0.14 oz | A C G L R S, C G L S, A C G L R S | UN |
| (azoxystrobin) + thiamethoxam | Caravan G | 2-2.8 lb | A G L R | 4A |
| Beauveria bassiana | Botaniguard WP; Mycotrol WPO, Botaniguard ES; Mycotrol ESO | 1-4 oz, 2-8 fl oz | A C G L R S | UNF |
| Beta-cyfluthrin | Tempo SC Ultra, Tempo Ultra GC, Tempo Ultra WP/WSP | 0.27 fl oz, 0.27 fl oz, 10 g | A C L R, G A C L R, A C L R | 3A |
| Bifenthrin | Bifenthrin, Bifen L/P; Crosscheck; Lawnstar G, Broadside GC Granular | 2.4-4.8 lb, 2.3-4.6 lb, 2.3-4.6 lb | L, A C L R, A G L R S | 3A |
| Carbaryl | SA-50 Mole Cricket Bait | 0.75-0.9 lb | L | 1A |
| Carbaryl + bifenthrin | ATP Duocide | 4-8 lb | A L R | 1A + 3A |
| Clothianidin | Arena 0.25G, Arena 25WDG; Guillotine | 2.7-3.7 lb, 0.29 oz | A C G L R S | 4A |
| Clothianidin + bifenthrin | Aloft LC G, Aloft GC SC, Aloft LC SC | 1.8-3.6 lb, 0.27-0.54 fl oz, 0.27-0.54 fl oz | A C L R | 4A + 3A |
| Clothianidin + pyriproxyfen | Sumari | 1-2 fl oz | A C L R | 4A + 7C |
| Deltamethrin | DeltaGard G, D-Fense SC | 2-3 lb, 0.6-0.9 fl oz | L, A L R | 3A |
| Dinotefuran | Zylam Liquid | 1.8 fl oz | A C G L R S | 4A |
| Dinotefuran + alpha-cypermethrin | Alucion 35 WG | 0.44 oz | G L R | 4A + 3A |
| Fipronil | Fipronil 0.0143G; TopChoice, Chipco Choice; Fipronil 0.1G | 2 lb, 4.6-9.4 oz (slit) | A C G L R S | 2B |
| Fipronil + bifenthrin + lambda-cyhalothrin | Taurus Trio G; Trivium G | 2 lb | A C G L R S | 2B + 3A + 3A |
| Imidacloprid | Bandit; Malice; Mallet; Merit 0.5G, Mallet 7.1% PF | 1.8 lb, 1.8 fl oz | A C G L R | 4A |
| Lambda-cyhalothrin | Demand G, Avesta, Demand, Scimitar CS | 3-4 lb, 7 ml | A C L R | 3A |
