N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei

Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico witha Nematode and Parasitic Wasp

Scapteriscus didactylus, the “West Indian mole cricket” or “changa,” probably arrived in the West Indies by flying from South America hundreds of years ago

Scapteriscus abbreviatus, the “short-winged mole cricket,” occurs in Puerto Rico and a few other islands, and probably arrived in ship ballast~ this species cannot fly and is only a minor problem

Damage to sweet peppers in the

Dominican Republic caused by the “West Indian mole cricket”

In Grenada, vegetable seedlings are attacked by

the same mole cricket

Damage to a Florida golf course by the South American

mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus

J.P. Parkman-UF,IFAS

Mole cricket damage and chemical pesticides for control cost an estimated 100 million dollars in the Southeastern US annually

Chemicals are too expensive for use on pasture land

Mole crickets rebound in most treated areas

Concern about non-target effects of chemicals

Chemical Control

www.pesticidereform.org

Biological Control Alternative A two pronged approach Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor

Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci

K. Nguyen - UF,IFAS

exit the cadaver and are temporarily free-living

free-livingnematodes

penetration

juveniles develop in the host body

juveniles develop in the host body

sexualmaturation

produce

eggs

Steinernematid Life Cycle

Flask containing nematodeson diet-soaked sponge

Application of nematodes to pasture land

Mole Cricket State Program

Objective: To conduct research/demonstration projects that will widely distribute the

entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, in Florida; determine its establishment, rate of spread and impact on Scapteriscus spp. mole crickets, and support its commercialization

Nematode applications Nematac S 80 billion nematodes 32 counties Education & training Nematode diagnostics Nematode survey Refined methods Establish & Spread

Mole Cricket Nematode in Florida

6 months- 80% mole crickets infected 1 year- infected mole crickets spread

nematodes across the pasture 3 years-

• 85% decline in mole crickets• 40-95% recovery of bahiagrass• 20-35% infected mole crickets

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Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida by the Nematode

Mole Cricket Nematode Project Mole Cricket Nematode Project In Puerto RicoIn Puerto Rico

Apply Nematac S in appropriate habitats

Survey for entomopathogenic nematodes

Adapt release and evaluation methods

Demonstrate establishment and spread

Determine the impact on pest mole crickets

Mole cricket Mole cricket escaping from escaping from soap solution soap solution in its gallery at in its gallery at a golf course in a golf course in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico

A turf farm A turf farm in Puerto Ricoin Puerto Rico with “changas” with “changas”

A palm grove next to A palm grove next to a 3-acre peanut fielda 3-acre peanut fieldin Puerto Ricoin Puerto Rico

A 1-acre organic farm

in Puerto Rico

Mole cricket pitfall trap at a golf course in Puerto Rico

Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Puerto Rico by the Nematode Scapteriscus didactylus, was trapped at the golf

course and organic garden Scapteriscus abbreviatus was also discovered at

the organic garden Mole crickets captured at the golf course

contained Steinernema scapterisci Steinernema scapterisci became established at

the golf course and killed S. didactylus Mole crickets from the organic garden were

not infected

Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor

Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS

Larra bicolor on Spermacoce verticillata

Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS

Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida & Puerto Rico by the Wasp Parasitism of Scapteriscus vicinus 24% near

Gainesville, Florida Wasp in 22 Florida counties by natural spread and

releases Larra bicolor feeds at nectaries of 4 plants plus

Spermacoce verticillata Spermacoce verticillata plots provided near mole

cricket infestations Cooperators watch for wasps feeding on the flowers Wasp may function additively with the nematode

Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico

Established the nematode and waspDetermined that they are effectiveProvided economical mole cricket control

We have shown that biological control offers long-term, cost effective mole cricket

management

http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu

Any Questions?Leppla, Frank & Adjei