agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Pests

Other pests

The European mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) is a large insect of the order Orthoptera, belonging to the family Gryllotalpidae. It is considered a major subterranean pest that is highly adapted to digging tunnels in the soil, making it a significant threat to various agricultural and ornamental crops.

Main sections

Ixodid ticks (Ixodidae)64 Land planarians17 Icterids15 Isotomids14 Lacertidae12 Jumping spiders11 Larks8 Hypogastruridae7 Ictalurids6 Lampreys5 Land planarian5 Hydras4 Ibises4 Kingfishers4 Hyraxes2 Hystrichopsyllid fleas2 Idoteidae2 Iguanids2 Janiridae2 Japygidae2
1 423 sections

What the section contains

Hydras 4 items Hydropsychid caddisflies 1 item Hylophila Hylophila Hypocryphalus Hypocryphalus Hypogastruridae 7 items Hyraxes 2 items Hystrichopsyllid fleas 2 items Ibises 4 items Ictalurids 6 items Icterids 15 items Idoteidae 2 items Iguanids 2 items Incilaria confusa Incilaria confusa Inconspicuous whitefly Bemisia inconspicua Invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens Isotomids 14 items Italian locust Calliptamus ictericus Italian locust Calliptamus siculus Ixodid ticks (Ixodidae) 64 items Ixora scale Protopulvinaria ixorae Janiridae 2 items Japanese citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora malasiaca Japanese looper Boarmia atrilineata Japanese pine bast scale Matsucoccus thunbergianae Japygidae 2 items Javanese hoverfly Ischiodon javanum Jersey tiger Panaxia quadripunctaria Jersey tiger Panaxia Jumping spiders 11 items Jute hairy caterpillar Diacrisia obliqua Kakivoria Kakivoria Katiannids 2 items Khapra beetle 2 items Kilifia acuminata Kilifia acuminata Kingfishers 4 items Koala (Phascolarctidae) 2 items Krubera peregrina Krubera peregrina Kuznezovi bush-cricket Poecilimon kuznezovi Laccophilus hyalinus Laccophilus hyalinus Lace bugs (Congridae) 2 items Lace bugs (Tungidae) 2 items Lacertidae 12 items Lachesillid barklice 2 items Lacon variabilis Lacon variabilis Lamiinae 2 items Lampra buprestid Lampra Lampreys 5 items Lancelets 2 items Land planarian 5 items Land planarians 17 items Larch aphid Cinaropsis laricis Larch aphid Cinaropsis laricina Larch thrips Taeniothrips laricivorus Large Yellow Underwing Brotolomia Larks 8 items Latimeriidae 2 items Latrodectus schuchi Latrodectus schuchi Leaf roller Ptycholoma lecheanum Leaf warblers (Phylloscopidae) 2 items Leafy spurge clearwing Chamaesphecia erythrucephala
Marketplace

Products in this section · 12

Весь каталог

Other pests

This pest affects a wide range of plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and various leafy vegetables. It also poses a threat to lawns, golf courses, and young saplings in tree nurseries. Mole crickets are particularly destructive in moist, organic-rich soils where they can easily burrow and feed.

The life cycle of the mole cricket typically lasts from one to three years, depending on the environmental conditions. Both adults and nymphs overwinter deep in the soil. In late spring, females build subterranean nest chambers where they deposit batches of eggs. After hatching, the nymphs develop through several instars, feeding on roots and organic matter.

The damage caused by mole crickets is mainly due to their burrowing activity and feeding habits. They sever plant roots and stems just below the soil surface, causing plants to wilt and die suddenly. Their extensive tunneling also disturbs the soil structure, leading to poor plant growth and significant yield losses in infested areas.

  • Deep autumn plowing to expose and destroy overwintering sites.
  • Setting traps using manure or moist compost to attract and catch adults.
  • Application of specialized insecticidal baits placed in the soil.
  • Using biological control agents such as nematodes or entomopathogenic fungi.
  • Frequent cultivation of soil between rows to disrupt existing tunnels.