Changa Mole Cricket vs Mole Cricket with Four Dots
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Changa Mole Cricket | Mole Cricket with Four Dots |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scapteriscus didactylus | Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gryllotalpidae | Gryllidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 19-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Caribbean, South America | Southeastern United States, South America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Changa Mole Cricket
A large mole cricket native to South America that became a severe pest in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. It has only two claws on its digging forefeet.
Did You Know?
Its name changa comes from the Puerto Rican Spanish word for the insect, where it historically devastated sugarcane plantations.
Mole Cricket with Four Dots
A short-winged mole cricket-like species from South America that has invaded the southeastern United States. Despite its small size it can damage turf grasses.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mole crickets, its shortened wings mean it is flightless and can only spread by walking through the soil.