Mole cricket - Plant Pests

Mole crickets are large insects: males measure between 3 and 4 cm; females 4 to 5 cm.

Also known as:
European Mole cricket

recognize mole cricket — Mole cricket, photo: JorritvWamelimage - CC BY-SA 3.0

Mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa). The Mole crickets belongs to the family of Mole crickets and ant crickets (Gryllotalpidae). Mole crickets are large insects: males measure between 3 and 4 cm; females 4 to 5 cm. They look fearsome with that big armored abdomen.
Mole crickets mainly live on plant roots and leaves, but they also eat wireworms and earthworms. The enemy of the Mole cricket is the common mole.
The Mole cricket is widespread in the UK.
Because the Mole cricket is both a harmful and beneficial insect, control is not necessary. Sometimes gnaw damage in the vegetable garden is mistakenly attributed to Mole crickets; while damage by grubs, leatherjackets or voles (teeth marks!) is more obvious.

Where to find

Vegetable plot, ornamental garden

Control

Mole crickets are both harmful and useful. All this makes control unnecessary.

Prevention

Does not apply.