Squash Bug vs Tawny Mole Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Squash Bug Tawny Mole Cricket
Scientific Name Anasa tristis Neoscapteriscus vicinus
Order Hemiptera Orthoptera
Family Coreidae Gryllotalpidae
Size 14-18 mm 25-35mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Root Feeders
Regions North America South America, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Squash Bug

A flat, dark grayish-brown bug that is a major pest of squash and pumpkin plants. When crushed, it emits a distinctly unpleasant odor similar to stink bugs.

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Did You Know?

Squash bugs inject toxic saliva while feeding that causes a condition called anasa wilt, which can kill entire squash vines within days of a heavy infestation.

Tawny Mole Cricket

An invasive burrowing cricket with tan coloring and powerful digging forelegs. It is a major turf pest in the southeastern United States. Its tunnels damage grass roots extensively.

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Did You Know?

A single mole cricket can tunnel up to 6 meters per night, leaving raised ridges of dying turf behind it.