Southern Mole Cricket vs Two-clawed Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Mole Cricket | Two-clawed Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoscapteriscus borellii | Neoscapteriscus didactylus |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gryllotalpidae | Gryllotalpidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 28-38 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | South America (native), Southern United States (invasive), Australia (invasive) | South America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Southern Mole Cricket
A South American mole cricket that has become an invasive turf pest in the southern United States and Australia. It tunnels through soil near the surface, severing grass roots and leaving raised trails.
Did You Know?
It can fly strongly at night and is attracted to lights, which is how it colonized new areas after its accidental introduction.
Two-clawed Mole Cricket
A large South American mole cricket recognized by its two-clawed digging foreleg. It is both a turf pest and a predator of soil insects.
Did You Know?
The two large claws on its forelegs work like scissors, making it one of the most efficient diggers among mole crickets.