Kingdom:  Animalia
Phylum:    Arthropoda
Class:        Insecta
Order:        Orthoptera
Family:      Gryllotalpidae
Genus:      Gryllotalpa
Species:    Gryllotalpa brachyptera

Gryllotalpa brachyptera is distributed in Japan, China, Middle Asia; in South and Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, Africa, Australia, Philippines; on the former USSR territory, viz in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan; in Russia. It is found in Amur Region, in the south of Khabarovsk Territory, in Sakhalin Region, on Kunashir Island, in Ussuriisk and other districts of Primorskii Territory, as well as in the Urals.

পোষক পরিসীমা
Mole crickets exhibit a diverse host range, causing damage to various plants and crops. Their subterranean activities can harm turfgrasses in lawns and sports fields, as well as agricultural crops like corn, peanuts, soybeans, and vegetables.

The identification of mole crickets involves distinguishing between their eggs, larvae (nymphs), and adults. Here are some characteristics :

ডিম: Mole cricket eggs are typically small, spherical, and cream to light brown in color. Female mole crickets deposit their eggs in chambers they construct in the soil. The eggs are often laid in clusters.

Nymphs (Larvae): Mole cricket nymphs resemble miniature versions of adults. They have six legs, large front digging appendages, and relatively short wings.Nymphs can vary in color from pale to brownish. Nymphs go through several instars (molting stages) as they grow, gradually acquiring the characteristics of adults.

প্রাপ্তবয়স্ক: Adult mole crickets are relatively large, with a body length ranging from around 1 to 2 inches. They have robust bodies with enlarged, powerful front legs adapted for digging.
Color: Mole crickets often have a brownish coloration with well-developed wings that cover the abdomen. They possess long, thread-like antennae. Adult mole crickets have wings, but their ability to fly may vary among species. Some species are good fliers, while others have reduced wing structures.

They can be look alike their subspecies.

Adults of most species of mole cricket can fly powerfully, if not with agility, but males do so infrequently. The females typically take wing soon after sunset, and are attracted to areas where males are calling, which they do for about an hour after sunset. This may be to mate, or they may be influenced by the suitability of the habitat for egg-laying, as demonstrated by the number of males present and calling in the vicinity. Mole crickets vary in their diets; some like the tawny mole cricket are herbivores, others are omnivores, feeding on larvae, worms, roots, and grasses, and others like the southern mole cricket are mainly predacious. They leave their burrows at night to forage for leaves and stems, which they drag underground before consumption, as well as consuming roots underground

The life cycle, or bionomics, of mole crickets involves several stages, including eggs, nymphs, and adults. Understanding this life cycle is crucial for effective pest management.

Mole crickets undergo a life cycle that unfolds within the soil. The cycle begins with the female laying small, spherical eggs in underground chambers she constructs. These eggs, typically cream to light brown in color, are arranged in clusters. After an incubation period, nymphs, or larvae, hatch from the eggs.
The nymphs resemble miniature versions of adults but lack fully developed wings. They go through several molting stages as they grow, gradually acquiring the features of adults. Nymphs actively tunnel through the soil, feeding on roots, organic matter, and occasionally each other. As they reach maturity, adult mole crickets emerge with a robust body, powerful front legs adapted for digging, and wings that vary in size among different species.

Adult mole crickets are known for their subterranean habits, creating tunnel systems and causing damage to plant roots. Mating occurs in the soil, and males produce distinctive calls to attract females. Females lay eggs, completing the life cycle. The timing and duration of each stage can vary depending on environmental conditions, such as temperature and soil moisture. Integrated pest management strategies often target vulnerable stages in the life cycle to effectively control mole cricket populations.

Mole crickets inflict significant damage through their subterranean activities, affecting both turfgrasses and agricultural crops. These pests, known for their powerful front legs adapted for digging, tunnel through the soil, displacing soil and disrupting the root systems of turfgrasses. In lawns, golf courses, and sports fields, their tunneling can uproot grass plants, resulting in visible patches of wilted or dying grass. In agriculture, mole crickets feed on the roots of crops such as corn, peanuts, soybeans, and vegetables, leading to reduced plant vigor, stunted growth, and potential yield losses. Seedlings and young plants are particularly vulnerable to mole cricket damage, and their presence can result in poor crop establishment.

The presence of mole cricket infestations can be identified through various signs and symptoms. Here are common points to consider when assessing mole cricket infestations:

Surface Tunnels: Mole crickets create surface tunnels as they move through the soil. These tunnels may be visible in the form of raised ridges or small mounds on the turfgrass surface.

Disrupted Soil: Soil disruption is a key indicator. Look for areas where the soil has been loosened or where grass appears uneven due to mole cricket tunneling.

Wilting or Dying Grass: Areas of wilting or dying grass may indicate mole cricket activity, especially if the roots have been damaged. These patches can become more prominent over time.
Uprooted Grass Plants: Mole crickets, particularly in their nymphal stages, may uproot grass plants near the surface as they tunnel, resulting in visible damage.

Presence of Nymphs: Spotting mole cricket nymphs, which are smaller and lack fully developed wings, can be a sign of an infestation. They are often found in or near the tunnels.

Mole Cricket Sounds: Male mole crickets produce distinctive mating calls, which may be audible during the evening. This sound can be used as an auditory clue to the presence of mole crickets.

It prefers moist, loose soil, so damage usually occurs in crop fields near moist locations. Damage is greatest immediately after transplanting young seedlings. Mole crickets injure the plants by chewing and severing roots and occasionally stems; they have a highly chitinized armature in the proventricular region of the foregut. Some mole crickets have been observed cutting off plant stems and dragging them into their burrows. Mole crickets attack the roots of plants in seed beds, and burrow around the roots of seedlings, reducing the vigour of the plants.

Adults chewed rice seeds and uprooted seedlings when the soil was loose and moist, particularly when the seeds were sown directly between rows of wheat and barley in Himeji district, Japan (Akino et al., 1956). Damage to Chinese yam appeared when cracks in the soil under and around the yam allowed mole crickets to tunnel through and attack the tuberous roots (Matsuura et al., 1985)

Mole crickets, like Gryllotalpa brachyptera, aerate the soil through their burrowing, benefiting plant growth.
By feeding on plant roots, they impact vegetation development and influence plant survival rates.
Predators such as birds, mammals, and certain insects rely on them for food, playing a crucial role in food chains.

Effective management of mole crickets involves an integrated approach that combines cultural practices, biological control, and targeted insecticide applications. Cultural practices play a crucial role in creating less favorable conditions for mole cricket survival. These practices include maintaining proper irrigation to avoid waterlogged soil, reducing thatch buildup, and mowing grass at appropriate heights. Biological control methods involve the introduction or enhancement of natural enemies that prey on mole crickets, such as parasitic nematodes and certain insect predators. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi can be used as biopesticides to control mole cricket populations. When pest populations exceed tolerable levels, targeted insecticide applications can be employed. It’s essential to choose insecticides with low environmental impact and apply them during the appropriate life stages of mole crickets.

Akino et al. (1956) reported that rice seeds sown directly between rows of wheat in late May suffered less damage than those sown earlier. Increasing the seed rate resulted in a reduction in the percentage of seedlings lost to it.

Biological control methods for managing mole cricket populations are essential. These methods leverage natural predators and pathogens to regulate mole cricket populations in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. One key biological control agent is the use of entomopathogenic nematodes, such as Steinernema and Heterorhabditis species. These nematodes parasitize mole crickets, entering their bodies and releasing bacteria that cause fatal infections. Another effective biological control agent is the application of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae. These fungi infect and kill mole crickets upon contact, providing a natural means of population regulation.

Additionally, encouraging the presence of natural predators in the ecosystem can contribute to biological control. Predatory insects like ground beetles, ants, and predatory stinkbugs feed on mole crickets and help keep their populations in check. Birds, including certain species of starlings, grackles, and ibises, are also known to consume mole crickets.

Various chemical insecticides are available for controlling mole crickets, and their selection and application should be conducted judiciously to minimize environmental impact. The timing of chemical treatments is critical, targeting specific stages in the mole cricket life cycle.

Insecticides are often applied to the affected areas using broadcast or spot treatments. Granular formulations may be spread over turfgrass, while liquid formulations can be applied as sprays. The choice of insecticide should consider factors such as the severity of the infestation, environmental conditions, and potential impact on non-target organisms.

তথ্য পাওয়া যায়নি।

তথ্য পাওয়া যায়নি।

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