Seasonal Distribution and Parasitism of Scapteriscus spp. (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) in Southeastern Louisiana

Abstract

Mole crickets of the genus Scapteriscus were accidentally introduced into the southern United States almost a century ago and are considered to be economically important pests in southern U.S. regions. Mole crickets were sampled using acoustic traps in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana in the fall of 1998, the spring and fall of 1999, and the spring of 2000. In southeastern Louisiana Scapteriscus borellii has a seasonal flight period starting in late February and continuing into June. A lesser flight period occurs in the fall, starting in mid-September and continuing into November. S. vicinus was captured only from late February to late April. We determined that S. borellii was being parasitized inside acoustic traps by the tachinid fly, Ormia ochracea and that S. vicinus was parasitized by an anthomyiid fly, Acridomyia sp.