Mole Cricket

Natural Habitat

Mole crickets prefer moist, sandy soils, often found in lawns, golf courses, pastures, and agricultural fields. They live in burrows they dig underground.

Diet & Feeding

Their diet varies by species; some are herbivorous, feeding on roots and plant matter, others are omnivorous or carnivorous, consuming larvae, worms, and other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Mole crickets are primarily nocturnal and spend most of their lives underground, digging extensive tunnel systems. They are good at burrowing, swimming, and flying. Males produce chirping sounds during mating season to attract females.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Certain species of mole crickets can be significant agricultural and lawn pests, causing damage to turfgrass, vegetables, and other crops by feeding on roots and dislodging plants with their tunneling activities. Benefits: Some species can be beneficial by preying on other pest insects and aerating the soil through their burrowing.

Identified on: 8/31/2025