Mole Cricket

Natural Habitat

Underground in moist soils, lawns, golf courses, pastures, and cultivated fields.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; feeds on roots, tubers, grasses, and small soil insects and larvae. Some species are primarily herbivorous, others more predatory.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; they spend most of their lives underground, digging tunnels with their shovel-like front legs. Males produce a calling song from their burrows to attract females. They can also fly, especially during mating season.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can be significant agricultural pests, damaging crops, lawns, and turf by feeding on roots and disturbing soil, leading to plant desiccation. Benefits: Some species consume other soil-dwelling insect pests, providing a degree of biological control.

Identified on: 9/20/2025