Bug Identifier
Tawny Mole Cricket
Community identification

Tawny Mole Cricket

Neoscapteriscus vicinus

Order & Family
Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae
Size
25 to 40 mm (1 to 1.5 inches) in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Subterranean burrows in turfgrass, pastures, and sandy soils

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; primarily feeds on the roots, stems, and leaves of grasses and garden plants

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and subterranean. They use shovel-like forelegs to tunnel through soil. Males produce a loud chirping song from tunnel entrances to attract mates during spring and fall.

Risks & Benefits

Significant agricultural and turf pest that causes damage by feeding on roots and disrupting soil through tunneling; no direct physical risk to humans but can be a nuisance.