Mole Cricket Research Articles

The earliest Gryllotalpinae (Insecta, Orthoptera, Gryllotalpidae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

The mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is famous for exquisite preservation of organisms, especially insects. Although plenty of insects have been described from Burmese amber, only a few belong to the order Orthoptera. Here, we report a new genus and species, Burmagryllotalpa longa gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Gryllotalpinae (Orthoptera, Gryllotalpidae) based on a new specimen from Burmese amber. This new taxon represents the earliest record of Gryllotalpinae, indicating that three digging teeth in the fore tibia appeared in Gryllotalpinae at latest in the mid-Cretaceous, and that the digging mode of life became strengthened in mole crickets much earlier than previously recorded.

Short Notes on Saproxylic Arthropods of Batu Timbang Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area

A sampling of saproxylic arthropods was conducted from a fallen log located close to an existing trail and was situated under shaded area. All arthropods (larvae, pupae and adults) found in the fallen log were collected and kept in vials containing 75 % ethanol solution for identification. A total of 7 insect orders and 1 class of arthropod (Diplopoda) were collected. 15 species of ants were collected but only 1 species observed residing in the fallen log. Other ants were collected foraging on the deadwood. Only one species of termites (Blattodea: Havilanditermes atripennis) was recorded. Other orders found include Coleoptera (beetles), Orthoptera (mole cricket), Dermaptera (earwig), Diptera (fly) and Lepidoptera (moth).

Rhizobacterial treatment of bermudagrass increases tolerance to damage from tawny mole crickets (Neoscapteriscus vicinus Scudder)

Inoculation of bermudagrass with rhizobacterial biostimulants can increase plant growth and influence relationships with grass-feeding herbivores. Tunneling and root-feeding behaviors of tawny mole crickets cause severe damage to grass in pastures, golf courses, and lawns. The goal of this study was to determine if inoculation of bermudagrass by a rhizobacteria blend (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, PGPR) increases the tolerance of hybrid bermudagrass to tawny mole crickets in captivity and under field conditions. Bermudagrass in arenas treated with a rhizobacteria blend then infested with tawny mole crickets produced significantly greater root lengths compared to bermudagrass that was either fertilized and infested with mole crickets, or bermudagrass without mole crickets. Bermudagrass treated with either the rhizobacteria blend or fertilizer produce similar top growth, and both treatments in the presence of mole crickets produced greater top growth than bermudagrass without mole crickets. Bermudagrass field plots infested naturally with mole crickets and treated twice with the rhizobacteria blend, or the rhizobacteria blend mixed with bifenthrin produced similar damage ratings as plots treated twice with bifenthrin. The rhizobacteria blend mixed with bifenthrin provided more consistent reductions in the surface activity of mole crickets relative to non-treated plots. Enhanced growth of bermudagrass from fertilizer or rhizobacteria increased tolerance of bermudagrass to damage from tawny mole crickets. Application of PGPR or a PGPR-bifenthrin mixture to turfgrass damaged by mole crickets provided comparable reductions to a short residual, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Rhizobacterial products have potential utility for IPM of root herbivores. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Acoustic Trap to Survey and Capture Two Neoscapteriscus Species

There is an extensive history of mole cricket integrated pest management (IPM) research in Florida, USA (Kerr et al. 2014; Mhina et al. 2016), much of which has incorporated acoustic trapping as a monitoring tool. The acoustic trap design described in this report provides a method for surveying 2 Neoscapteriscus mole cricket species relatively autonomously at low cost, which can facilitate future efforts to study the biology, ecology, and distribution of invasive mole crickets (e.g., Walker 1988). In a broader context, however, there remains considerable need to reduce the costs and simplify the technology of these and other traps based on inexpensive microcontroller platforms, not only for Neoscapteriscus species, but also for other pests that mate based on either acoustic or vibrational communication (Mankin 2012). Sumario Existe una extensa historia de investigaciones sobre el manejo integrado de plagas (MIP) del grillo topo en la Florida, EE. UU. (Kerr et al. 2014; Mhina et al. 2016), una gran parte de las cuales ha incorporado el atrapamiento acustico como herramienta de monitoreo. El diseno de la trampa acustica descrito en este informe proporciona un metodo para estudiar 2 especies de grillo topos del genero Neoscapteriscus de forma relativamente autonoma a bajo costo, lo que puede facilitar los esfuerzos futuros para estudiar la biologia, ecologia y distribucion de los grillo topos invasivos (por ejemplo, Walker 1988). Sin embargo, en un contexto mas amplio, sigue existiendo una necesidad considerable de reducir los costos y simplificar la tecnologia de estas y otras trampas basadas en plataformas economicas de microcontroladores, no solo para las especies de Neoscapteriscus, sino tambien para otras plagas que se aparean en base a la comunicacion acustica o vibracional (Mankin 2012). Key Words: mole cricket; forage; turfgrasses; survey View this article in BioOne .

Structure, mechanics and material properties of claw cuticle from mole cricket Gryllotalpaorientalis.

Powerful shovel-like forelimbs with special shape, structure and biological materials enable mole cricket to digging efficiently. During digging, the tip of the claw needs to wedge into the soil, and the base needs to withstand considerable anti-shear force. In this study, we analysed the structural characteristics, material composition and mechanical properties of the claw teeth using scanning electron microscopy, plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, nanoindentation and finite element analysis. The results show that the tips of claw teeth have a dense and homogeneous structure and a higher hardness and contents of Mn and Zn compared with the base. The structure of the base of claw teeth has an obvious laminar structure and higher fracture resistance. Moreover, it is speculated from the simulation results that basal position of the claw teeth is tough enough to withstand high stress, and the presence of the ribs effectively improves the mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity of the teeth during excavation. The results of this study can provide inspiration for the design of efficient mechanical components and agricultural implements.

Orthoptera and allies in the Maritime provinces, Canada: new records and updated provincial checklists

We provide an updated checklist of Orthoptera and their allies for each Maritime province of Canada with details for 21 new species records. Drumming Katydid (Meconema thalassinum), recorded from Nova Scotia (NS) and Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Sprinkled Grasshopper (Chloealtis conspersa), recorded from New Brunswick (NB) are reported for the first time from the Maritimes as a whole. We report range extensions in the Maritime region for Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae; NB), Treetop Bush Katydid (Scudderia fasciata; NS), Short-legged Camel Cricket (Ceuthophilus brevipes; PEI), Spotted Camel Cricket (Ceuthophilus maculatus; PEI), Roesel’s Shield-backed Katydid (Roeseliana roesellii; NS), and Black-horned Tree Cricket (Oecanthus nigricornis; PEI). Short-winged Mole Cricket (Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus; NB) and European Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa; NS) are reported as adventives (non-native species that are believed to be not yet established), new to Canada from the Maritimes. Other new records for species not known to be established are Lined Earwig (Doru taeniatum; NS), Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae; PEI), American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana; NB), Brown Cockroach (Periplaneta brunnea; PEI), Smooth Cockroach (Nyctibora laevigata; NB), West Indian Leaf Cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis; NB), an unidentified Parcoblatta species (NB), Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa; PEI), Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa; NB), and American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana; NS).

Insect Management for Carrots

There are no major insect pests on carrot in Florida. The greatest concern for growers has been root damage from soil pests, particularly wireworms (southern potato and tobacco), cutworms (variegated, granulate, black), and mole crickets, all of which are sporadic. Occasional minor pests include leafminers (especially the vegetable leafminer), aphids (green peach and melon), and weevils (especially vegetable weevils). Other arthropods that may occasionally cause minimal damage to carrots in Florida include armyworms (fall, beet, and southern), field crickets, mites (especially twospotted spider mite), and plant bugs (including tarnished plant bug). This document is ENY-462, one of a series of the Entomology & Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: July 2002. Revised: August 2005.
 ENY-462/IG148: Insect Management for Carrots (ufl.edu)

The last meal: large insects predominate the diet of the European Roller Coracias garrulus prior to population extinction

ABSTRACTCapsule: The diet of a European Roller Coracias garrulus population, approximately 10 years before its extinction, comprised of large-bodied orthopterans and coleopterans.Aims: To explore the diet composition of declining population of the European Roller.Methods: In 2005, 2006 and 2009, we monitored 18 nesting sites of the European Roller in southern Poland. Pellets and prey remain found in nest-holes were analysed.Results: In total, 1646 prey items were found. Orthoptera (60.4% of prey items) and Coleoptera (38.5%) predominated while vertebrates were caught rarely. Large-bodied species (orthopterans, bush-crickets, beetles Prionus coriarius and Cetonia aurata) including ground-dwellers (mole cricket, field crickets) constituted a substantial proportion of the diet.Conclusion: The results obtained show that, approximately 10 years before extinction of the local population in southern Poland, European Rollers preyed on large beetles and orthopterans, which is typical for that species. It seems that recent agriculture abandonment and natural succession may have reduced the abundance of these prey species and their availability for European Rollers and thus contribute to their extinction.

Antimicrobial Activity of 11 Insects Extracts Against Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Strains of Bacteria and Fungus

Objective: 11 kinds of insects, which are traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), were detected by antimicrobial experiments to find new natural antibacterial extractives. Method: The body or shell of insects were extracted by two stage extraction solvent. Firstly, the body were impregnated two times with dichloromethane solvent, and then, soaked with 70% methanol and extracted two times. Disk diffusion test and Broth Dilution Assay were used to test MIC (MIC-minimum inhibitory concentration) value of these extractions. Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Strains of Bacteria and Fungus were used as detected strains in the test. Result: Of all eleven species of insects, extractives of the shell of Cryptotympanapustulata Fabricius and the body of Mole cricket have significant antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the different organic solvents components of C. Fabricius and M.cricket also have inhibit effects on S.aureus and M.tuberculosis; The MIC of the ethyl acetate fraction of M.cricket on M.tuberculosis was even reached to 0.01 g/mL. Moreover, the effect of water extractives from C. Fabricius on M.tuberculosis was 0.01 g/mL eighter. Discussion: The discovery of new antimicrobial medicine is always an urgent and successive need in the field of Medicine. Insects is a new field for the discovery of antibiotics.

Theoretical prerequisites for the bionic substantiation of spring soil leveler working bodies parameters

In the system of measures for pre-sowing tillage, special attention should be given to leveling the soil, ensuring an increase in the uniformity of seeding in depth, which has a significant impact on increasing yields. The main solution to this problem is to improve the design of aligners using a mechanical-bionic approach for the analytical description of the optimal forms and parameters of their working bodies. The design of the working body of the spring soil leveler is proposed, the cutting edges of the undercutting wings of which have ridges and hollows in the form of a logarithmic curve with a positive convexity of curvature inside the depressions, developed by the bionic prototype of the mole cricket (Gryllotalpa). Using the methods of agricultural mechanics, the theoretical dependence of the rational depth of the working bodies and the value of the tractive resistance of spring soil leveler on the travel speed, design parameters and physical-mechanical soil properties, which are proved by the results of experimental research on the south carbonated middle loamy black earth have been established. The experimental spring soil leveler provided the reduction of traction resistance by 7...8% (40...49 N) and had the best stability of motion in depth by an average of 1.5 times (± 0.5 cm) in comparison with the serial model of the working bodies of the leveler VPN-5.6 A.

Motion Characteristics of the Appendages of Mole Crickets during Burrowing

Mole crickets, Gryllotalpa orientalis, have a pair of fully specialized forelegs for burrowing and employ an efficient underground excavating pattern, which provides excellent biological example for design of bionic underground excavation equipment. In this study, the excavating pattern and kinematic features of mole crickets were obtained by using high-speed motion capture system and employing a transparent hydrogel as the analogue for soil. The two-dimensional motion characteristics of the forelegs of mole crickets during burrowing were captured and analyzed. The results show that the forelegs of the mole cricket employ a unique excavating pattern, which consists of foreword digging and horizontal expansion. We label this pattern a digging-expanding mode. An excavating cycle includes the digging and expanding motion of the forelegs, rotation caused by the midlegs and hindlegs, and forward thrust by the hindlegs. The excavating motion of the left and right forelegs is alternately carried out. This study can inspire the design of bionic tunnelling mechanisms and underground excavation equipment.

A new genus and a new species of pygmy mole cricket in Cretaceous amber from Burma (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae).

A new genus and a new species of pygmy mole cricket i.e. Paraxya gen nov. and Paraxya hui sp. nov. are described from Burma Cretaceous amber in this paper. The new genus is allied to Xya Latreille. 1809, but differs from latter by lacking swimming plates at metatibia [Latreille. 1809; Yin et al, 1996; Cao et al, 2017, Cao et al, 2018 and Zhang et al, 2018]. The new genus is also allied to Burmadactylus Heads, 2009, but differs from latter by metatarsus absent and hindwing present, surpassing the end of abdomen distinctly [Heads, 2009]. Type specimen is deposited in the College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614004, China.

Activity Patterns and Feeding Ecology of the Semi-Aquatic <i>Varanus flavescens</i> (Reptilia: Varanidae)

The study was conducted on activity patterns and feeding ecology of semi-aquatic yellow monitor ( Varanus flavescens ) in the Chalan Beel area of Bangladesh by following focal sampling method. Overall, V. flavescens spent highest proportion (37.73 ± 0.65) of their active time in moving in search of food and lowest proportion (3.05 ± 0.05) of time in conflicting. Maximum (22.80 ± 3.19) and minimum (5.82 ± 1.06) moving activity were recorded in the month of August and December respectively. Two peak feeding times; from 6.30 AM to 10.30 AM and from 3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. were recorded throughout the day. Total 15 prey groups were recorded as yellow monitor’s diet. The diet consisted mainly of beetles, which comprised 15% of the number of prey items in stomach samples. Others diet comprises of spider, dragonfly, water scorpions, mole crickets, crickets, ants, fresh water crabs, grasshopper, frog, small fish, house mouse and bird eggs. Most of the activities of V. flavescens varied significantly (χ 2 test, P < 0.05) in different month in response to changing weather conditions. During heavy cold V. flavescens shows basking activity to regulate their body temperature and the highest proportion (50.48 ± 3.03) of basking activity was recorded in December. The population of V. flavescens is decreasing at an alarming rate all over Bangladesh. This warrants for further study regarding the ecology and conservation of the yellow monitor.

Composting of sewage sludge with mole cricket: stability, maturity and sanitation aspects

The composting of sewage sludge is constrained by structural insufficiencies such as high water retention, reduced free air space and limited compaction. To overcome these hindrances, this study investigates application of bioconversion method to compost sewage sludge. The bioconversion method uses insect mole cricket that provides benefits such as improved aeration by 32%, enhanced organic matter transformation, stability and maturity of the end product. Bioconversion method was compared with vermicomposting and conventional aerated composting methods. Comparison of the results among the three methods showed that the end product was mature with germination index (GI) > 80%, humification index (E4/E6) < 8, dissolved organic carbon < 10 mg kg−1 and C/N < 15. However, the end product of the bioconversion method had the highest GI of 140, cation exchange capacity of 91.7 and the lowest C/N ratio of 14 indicating that this compost was relatively more stable than the composts produced by the other two methods. The number of faecal coliforms in mature compost samples was 210, 230 and 750 CFU g−1 for the bioconversion, vermicomposting and conventional composting methods, respectively. The results highlight that bioconversion method produces a non-phytotoxic and microbiologically safe compost that can be considered as a reliable alternative for composting of sewage sludge.

Identification of two species of Binema Travassos 1925 (Oxyurida: Travassosinematidae) and Cameronia arecoensis Marchissio and Miralles 1987 (Oxyurida: Thelastomatidae) based on morphological and 18S rRNA partial sequence.

Oxyurid nematodes parasitizing the mole cricket Neoscapteriscus vicinus were isolated in the framework of sampling fields of mole-crickets from the pampean region, in Argentina. In this work, molecular characterization of the 18S rRNA partial sequence of nematodes belonging to the families Thelastomatidae (Cameronia arecoensis Marchissio and Miralles 1987) and Travassosinematidae (Binema korsakowi Sergiev 1923 and Binema klossae, Marchissio and Miralles 1993) were carried out. This is the first world report of sequences belonging to B. klossae and C. arecoensis and first Argentinian report of B. korsakowi sequence. Also, morphological and morphometric features of B. klossae, B. korsakowi and C. arecoensis from Argentinian populations are reported.

Sand crickets (Gryllus firmus) have low susceptibility to entomopathogenic nematodes and their pathogenic bacteria.

The entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, a specialist parasite of crickets, has been successfully used to combat the southern mole cricket, Neoscapteriscus borellii, which is an invasive pest of turf grass. As an entomopathogenic nematode, S. scapterisci causes rapid death of the insects it infects and uses bacteria to facilitate its parasitism. However, our understanding of the relative contributions of the nematode, S. scapterisci, and its bacterial symbiont, Xenorhabdus innexi, to parasitism remains limited. Here we utilized the sand cricket, Gryllus firmus, as a model host to evaluate the contributions of the EPNs S. scapterisci and S. carpocapsae, as well as their symbiotic bacteria, X. innexi and X. nematophila, respectively, to the virulence of the nematode-bacterial complex. We found that G. firmus has reduced susceptibility to infection from both S. scapterisci and the closely related generalist parasite S. carpocapsae, but that S. scapterisci is much more virulent than S. carpocapsae. Further, we found that N. borellii has reduced susceptibility to X. nematophila, and that G. firmus has reduced susceptibility to X. nematophila, X. innexi, and Serratia marcescens, much more so than other insects that have been studied. We found that the reduced susceptibility of G. firmus to bacterial infection is dependent on development, with adults being less susceptible to infection than nymphs. Our data provide evidence that unlike other EPNs, the virulence of S. scapterisci to crickets is dependent on the nematode rather than the bacterial symbiont that it carries and we speculate that S. scapterisci may be evolving independence from X. innexi.

Four types of vibration behaviors in a mole cricket

Vibrational communication is known in some subterranean insects. Except for their use in sexual signaling, vibration behavior has rarely been reported. We report here four distinct types of substrate-based vibration behaviors in the mole cricket, Gryllotalpa orientalis, which are not associated with sexual signaling because of the occurrence of these behaviors in nymphs: (1) scraping with the forelegs; (2) foreleg taps (tapping with the forelegs); (3) palpal taps (tapping with the maxillary palpi); and (4) tremulation (back-and-forth movement of the whole body). Scraping is hypothesized to be used for the inspection of borrows. Foreleg taps are possibly informing nearby individuals of their presence, because it is never observed in solitary conditions. Palpal taps are rarely observed and its function is unknown. Tremulation is possibly related to avoidance of conspecific individual approaching and touching. The combination of the four vibration behaviors in the mole cricket may be unique among insects.

Brazilian Red-Eyed Fly Ormia depleta (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tachinidae)

The Brazilian red-eyed fly, Ormia depleta, is a tachinid fly that is a parasitoid of mole crickets in the genus Neoscapteriscus (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae). Originally from South America, it was brought to the United States for biological control of pest mole crickets. It is now established in almost all counties in central and southern Florida. Includes: Introduction - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle - Pest Management - Selected References.&#x0D; Available on EDIS at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1219&#x0D; First published at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BENEFICIAL/FLIES/Ormia_depleta.html

Anthropogenic calling sites boost the sound amplitude of advertisement calls produced by a tropical cricket

Acoustic signals are widely used as sexual displays to attract mates. The choice of display site can strongly influence the male call characteristics and their attractiveness to females. Males can improve the conspicuousness of their signals by increasing sound amplitude and expanding their broadcast area thereby reaching more potential mating partners and influencing female choice. Insects possess a rather limited degree of signal plasticity. To increase the intensity of their calls, insects have been known to manipulate and engineer their display locations. Mole crickets, for example, build burrows that are shaped like horns, designing the burrow such that its resonance closely matches that of their call frequency, thereby boosting sound amplitude. Tree crickets manipulate plant leaves, using them as baffles for optimal sound radiation. In this study, we show for the first time that an insect species can enhance its advertisement calls by using novel, anthropogenic environments as singing sites. During this study, the tropical cricket Anurogryllus muticus was frequently found singing beside the walls of houses, on concrete stairs or in storm drains. These locations significantly increased the sound amplitude of its calls, by an average of 13 and 7 dB SPL, respectively, as measured above and in front of the singing animals compared to the sound amplitude measured in their natural grassland habitat. To evaluate the effect of calling site choice on the male's life span, we conducted a 35-day population survey using the mark and recapture method. Our results revealed that those males that called in grassland habitat without occupying burrows had the shortest minimum life spans.

Edible processed insects from e-commerce: Food safety with a focus on the Bacillus cereus group

Edible insects are increasing in popularity as a trendy new food item in many countries worldwide. However, little information is available regarding the associated foodborne pathogens, in particular, the spore-forming bacteria that may be present in these processed foods. In this study, mealworms, crickets, mole crickets and silkworms that are widely available online were investigated for microbial quality traits.Whereas water activity and pH results revealed a stable product, microbiota characterisation highlighted wide variability among the analysed insect species. Among the microbial targets considered in this study, total viable count, total aerobic spores and Bacillus cereus count were the most suitable for describing the food safety and microbial quality of these products. Endospore-forming bacteria ascribed to the B. cereus group were identified with genetic methods and putative virulence patterns. Three major clusters were delineated according to the phylogenetic analysis of the B. cereus group: B. cereus, B. thuringiensis and B. cytotoxicus, with virulence patterns particular to the enterotoxin genes found in each cluster.This work represents a first step in the hazard identification of B. cereus group bacteria isolated from edible insects. The presented results should also be considered with respect to domestic handling and rehydration of such products prior to consumption.