The mole cricket insect is found on many crops, particularly cereals, potatoes and vegetables. The insect feeds on plant roots, but also on soil organisms and humus.
Scientific name: Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa
Other names: Gryllotalpa, Onion-eater, Pumpkin-eater, Prasanguera
Greek names: Γρυλλοτάλπα ή κρεμμυδοφάγος ή κολοκυθοκόφτης ή πρασάγγουρας
Damage
Plant are “missing” from the field.
Pest
The adults are about 45-50 mm long, brown in coloration and have fine hairs. The front legs, adapted for digging, resemble shovels.
The young nymphs are whitish in color and resemble ants in structure. In contrast, the older nymphs look more like the larval insect.
Notes
Mole cricket lives mainly underground and is found mainly in warm, moist soils rich in organic matter. It is characterized by the tunnels it digs at a shallow depth below the soil surface, as wide as the thickness of a finger.
Source
www.bayercropscience.gr
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa
Tags: PLANTS ENEMY
