N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico with a 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

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-living nematodes penetration juveniles develop in the host body sexual maturation produce eggs Steinernematid Life Cycle

Flask containing nematodes on 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

Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida by the Nematode

Mole Cricket Nematode Project In 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 escaping from soap solution in its gallery at a golf course in Puerto Rico

A turf farm in Puerto Rico with “changas”

A palm grove next to a 3-acre peanut field in 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 wasp   Determined that they are effective   Provided economical mole cricket control We have shown that biological control offers long-term, cost effective mole cricket management

Any Questions? Leppla, Frank & Adjei