What is mole cricket
Mole Cricket is a species of insects that belongs to the order Orthoptera, and family Gryllotalpidae. They are unique in terms of their appearance as well as behavior which separates them from other similar insect species. Their morphological features include elongated forelimbs designed for digging, along with a cylindrical body structure capable of fitting in narrow ridges these insects tend to inhabit.
Morphology
Appearance
The common mole cricket varies in size ranging from 1.5-3 inches with fairly large forelegs meant for burrowing through soil or turf. They have a pulse brownish hue and are covered in small hairs called setae. The contrast in their morphology when compared to crickets stems from their underground lifestyle; they have smaller eyes, wings suited for short flights, and round bodies that make navigation through the ground easier. Males possess stronger forelegs than females due to sexual dimorphism.
Predation & Defenses
Predators to the mole cricket are numerous and widespread: beetles, parasitic wasps, birds and mammals all hunt them down mercilessly. To combat this threat, mole crickets use their rugged exoskeleton and capacity for flight while some might even retaliate by biting.
Lifecycle
Female mole crickets lay eggs shortly after mating. These oval-shaped eggs embed themselves within moist soil where they incubate up until hatching occurs. After hatching, juvenile nymphs emerge looking like smaller versions of their parents without wings. As time passes, the nymphs undergo several molts leading to development into mature creatures ready to enter adulthood.
The life cycle generally lasts one year but can extend past two years depending on conditions such as climate.
Habitat & Behavior
These creatures were believed initially native only to Europe and parts of Africa but are now found worldwide. They prefer areas with ample grasslands where they tunnel and make subterranean habitats. These passageways serve both as homes and venues for finding food.
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The nocturnal insects use their forelimbs to navigate through the labyrinth of tunnels in the soil. By day, mole cricket surfaces only when prospective mates call during breeding seasons or in heavy rains when flooding threatens underground burrows.
Classification & Biology
Mole crickets are current members of the exclusive Gryllotalpidae family. At one point they were called ‘Homo Americanus’ because they showcased signs of intelligent behavior, creating complex tunnels that could allow them to farm certain types of fungi for sustenance.
They have auditory organs located at tibia on forelegs enabling detection of stridulations from potential mates. Breeding mainly occurs when males begin producing love songs by stridulating wings against abdominal body parts to lure females.
Diet & Damages
In terms of culinary preferences, these creatures feast on a variety of organisms such as roots, tubers, worms, insets etc., essentially omnivores by nature. While feeding provides essential nutrients needed for survival, their actions cause damage to lawns and crops hindering growth thereby causing significant losses to farmers across the globe.
Many attempts at controlling mole cricket populations have been launched over decades including introduction of various predators and pathogens.
To conclude, mole cricket’s fascinating adaptations and unique lifestyle distinguish it from other orthopterans emphasizing how much biologic diversity exists within this vast group aiding its ability to colonize multiple habitats around world.
