Southern Mole Cricket
Neoscapteriscus borellii
This record describes Neoscapteriscus borellii (species). Recorded family: Gryllotalpidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown to pinkish, pronotum dark with four pale spots
Wikipedia reference for Neoscapteriscus borellii: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoscapteriscus_borellii.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllotalpidae (Mole Crickets)
- Genus
- Neoscapteriscus (Two-clawed Mole Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens, lawns, agricultural land
Geographic Range
neotropical species introduced to se US & parts of California
Seasonal Activity
Spring-summer
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neoscapteriscus borellii (Giglio-Tos 1894)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Neoscapteriscus borellii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Southern Mole Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , David Ferguson , v belov , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Mole Cricket
What is Southern Mole Cricket?
Southern Mole Cricket (Neoscapteriscus borellii) is a species in the family Gryllotalpidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Southern Mole Cricket?
25-35 mm
How do you identify Southern Mole Cricket?
Brown to pinkish, pronotum dark with four pale spots
Where is Southern Mole Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Gardens, lawns, agricultural land |
| Range | neotropical species introduced to se US & parts of California |
When is Southern Mole Cricket active?
Southern Mole Cricket: seasonal activity - Spring-summer.