Description
Over the past several years mole crickets have become the number one insect pest of home lawns, golf courses, municipal and commercial properties, and sod farms along the North Carolina coast. Two species are present as pests along the southeastern coast: the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus) and the southern mole cricket (S. borellii). The tawny is the most destructive species of mole cricket since it feeds almost exclusively on the roots and shoots of grass. Southern mole crickets may feed a little on the roots, but are primarily predators feeding on small creatures that live in the soil. Both species do considerable tunneling. A third species, the northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) occurs throughout the state but is less damaging. The tawny mole cricket has been a pest in North Carolina only since 1987 but has become the most damaging species. This pest remains a challenge to effective management. Mole cricket management requires a full-scale program for best results. This publication recommends the most economical and effective mole cricket management plan.
Mole crickets require advanced planning and appropriate preinfestation management strategies, unlike other insects that can be effectively controlled once a threatening population is observed. If serious damage is allowed to occur before control is begun, the battle has already been lost for that particular year.
Cultural Control
There is great interest and demand to develop nonchemical control technology for mole crickets in turfgrass. Great advances have been made in nonchemical control in the past few years; however, few approaches provide acceptable control at this time. The future does hold promise for new innovations. Studies have shown that the coarser textured bermudagrass cultivars are less susceptible to mole crickets than the finer textured hybrids. This knowledge may be used in turf areas where fine texture is not important. There has been considerable work on biological control of mole cricket in North Carolina. A parasitic fly has been released and studies are underway to determine its ability to establish here. In addition, work is still underway evaluating a parasitic nematode that attacks the mole cricket. Nematode sprays can be applied with conventional application technology. This nematode has shown good potential.
Chemical Control
| Insecticide and Formulation | Amount per 1,000 sq ft | Precaution and Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| acephate* (Orthene T, T&O, Lesco-Fate) | 1 to 1.9 oz | Water soil before application. Do not water in. |
| bifenthrin* (Menace, Talstar, others) F, GC; G form also available | 0.5 to 1 fl oz | Use GC formulation for golf course. |
| carbaryl* (Sevin) baits | See label | |
| chlorpyrifos* (Dursban) B | ||
| cyfluthrin* (Tempo 2, Tempo Ultra) | 0.2 fl oz | Home lawn use only. |
| deltamethrin (Deltagard) G | 2 to 3 lb | |
| entomogenous nematodes* | See label | Various formulations now available. Adequate soil moisture critical for good control. |
| fipronil (Chipco Choice, others) 0.1 G (Top Choice, Fipronil, others) 0.0143 | 12.5-25 lb/A 2 lb | Use slit placement equipment. Apply as a broadcast. |
| imidacloprid (Merit) 75 WP 0.5G | 4 level tsp 1.8 lb | Apply while crickets are less than ½ inch long (June, early July). |
| indoxacarb (Advion) Insect G | 50 to 200 lb/acre | Not for use on sod farms. DO NOT water in after application. |
| indoxacarb (Provaunt) | 0.275 oz | Must be in possession of a supplemental label for this use at the time of application. Two applications 2-4 weeks apart works best, following egg hatch. |
| lambda-cyhalothrin* (Battle, Scimitar, Cyonara) | See label | Do not make applications within 20 feet of any body of water. No reentry until spray has dried. |
| dinotefuran (Zylam) 20SG | See label | Apply at egg hatch. |
| zeta-Cypermethrin, bifenthrin, and imadacloprid | 20-35 fl oz/acre |
References
- common name: shortwinged mole cricket, scientific name: Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus (Scudder) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae); common name: southern mole cricket, scientific name: Neoscapteriscus borellii (Giglio-Tos) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae); common name: tawny mole cricket, scientific name: Neoscapteriscus vicinus (Scudder) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae). Capinera, J. L. and N. C. Leppla. 2018 (revised). Featured Creatures, Entomology & Nematology, DACS/DPI, EDIS Publication EENY-235
- Mole Crickets and Their Natural Enemies. Anonymous. No Date. University of Florida.
2018 Pest Control for Professional Turfgrass Managers. Bowman, D. et al. 2017. NC State Extension Publication AG-408. 81 pp. - NC State Extension Plant Pathology Publications and Factsheets
- NC State Horticultural Science Department Publications
- North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual
For assistance with a specific problem, contact your local Cooperative Extension center.
Publication date: Oct. 25, 2017
Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University or N.C. A&T State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension county center.
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