Mole CricketsAdults measures 35-45 mm in length. They have a cylindrical stout body, are brownish, and of velvet complexion. Their heads have strong masticatory mouth-parts and short antennae. Their fore legs are short and large and able to excavate tunnels in the soil. Hind wings are large and transparent and covered by short hyaline elytra.
Mole crickets hibernate as adults deep in the soil. Hibernating forms become active in the spring and form tunnels some close to the soil surface, others at considerable depths. Oviposition and breeding chambers are also built, from which the summer generation originates.
Mole crickets sometimes wander above ground or fly in relatively large swarms, especially on warm summer nights. Mole crickets feed on earthworms, soil-inhabiting insect larvae and roots of garden and kitchen-garden plants, as well as those of grasses. Mole crickets prefer light, fresh soils with high organic matter content where food is available and tunnels can be excavated easily.Photo courtesy of Clemson University Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service.
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