Shortwinged mole cricket

Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder

(Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

Adults are between 22 and 29 mm long, short-winged, and unable to fly. Their enlarged forelegs bear blade-like projections that are used for digging tunnels into the soil. The tan-colored bodies are covered with dark spots. Eggs are oval, about 3 mm long, light grayish brown, and deposited in loose clusters of 25 to 60 eggs. Nymphs appear like smaller versions of the adults.

All life stages appear throughout the year, although a major oviposition peak occurs in late spring or summer and a minor one in winter. The egg stage lasts between 10 and 40 days. The number of nymphal instars varies between eight and 10.

Originating from South America, shortwinged mole cricket first was reported in Tampa, Florida, in 1899. Its current distribution includes the coastal areas of southern Florida as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Like other mole crickets, this species is omnivorous and feeds on plant and animal material. It is a pest of turf and forage grass and of vegetable seedlings.

Images 

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Adult of shortwinged mole cricket, Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder

(Photographer: Paul Choate, University of Florida)

Eggs of shortwinged mole cricket, Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

First instar of shortwinged mole cricket, Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Hatching first instar of shortwinged mole cricket, Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)