Family: Gryllotalpidae, Mole Crickets view all from this family

Description 3/4-1 3/8" (20-35 mm). Earth-brown with a coating of short fine hair. Fore legs broad and spadelike. No evident ovipositor in female.

Food Plant roots.

Sound A guttural growling note.

Life Cycle Eggs are laid in chamber at end of underground tunnel, where roots can be reached. Female guards eggs and nymphs until they are partly grown. 1 generation a year.

Habitat Moist soil.

Range East of the Rocky Mountains, from southern Canada to Mexico.

Discussion This cricket spends most of its time underground, but it can fly well. It often damages crops, garden plants, and orchard trees. The larger European Mole Cricket (G. gryllotalpa), 2" (50 mm), has shorter hind wings. It is found in the East.