1. Biological Control of the Mole Cricket

2. Steinernema scapterisci
Third-stage juvenile nematode infects mole cricket by entering through mouth or spiracle
Nematode can go through one (6-7 days) or two (8-10 days) generations in the mole cricket before being expressed
Nematodes move very little in the soil
Desiccation and ultra-violet light very harmful to nematode
Available as Nematac S (Becker Underwood)

3. Biological Control of Mole Cricket
Project funded by State Legislature
Project initiated in South Florida in North Florida project initiated in 2002.
14 locations (7 counties) were treated between September 17 and October 4.
Each site consisted of a 4 acre test area of which ½ acre was treated with 500 million nematodes (Nematac S)
A mole cricket biological control study was initiated in north Florida in Fourteen locations in 7 counties were treated with a commercial formulation (Nematac S) of the pathogenic nematode. Post treatment sampling did not detect any field infection. However, in field studies in south Florida the nematode was usually not detected in the first 2-3 months following application. It is likely that spring sampling in 2003 will begin to detect the nematode in at least a few of the sites.

4. Application of Nematac S
Pasture renovator was modified to carry tank
Drop nozzles adjusted to direct solution to coulter
Coulters run 2-3 inches deep

5. Application of Nematac S
Nematode solution applied in 6-foot strips on 1/8 of plot
100 gal/treated acre

6. Sampling Mole Crickets
Pitfall traps were used for post treatment sampling
Traps were checked every 3-4 days
Mole crickets were sent to NFREC Quincy, identified and held for expression of infection

7. Introduction of Pathogenic Nematodes for Control of Mole Cricket
County
Location
Treatment Date
Bradford
Field 1
9/20
Clay
Escambia
10/4
Gadsden
9/18
Gulf
9/17
Jackson
Bar L 1
Bar L 2
Field 3
Field 4
9/21
Levy
Field 1a
Field 1b
Okaloosa
Washington
Field 2
These are the locations of the 2002 north Florida treatments.

8. Summary of Initial Sampling
Post treatment pitfall trap sampling between October 18 and November 27 did not detect field infection at any of the sites.
Sampling was conducted days after treatment. Recommended sampling to confirm introduction of nematode is days following treatment.
In south Florida study, sampling was conducted 7 months following treatment.

9. Summary of Mole Cricket Catches (Pitfall Trapping 10/18-11/27)
County
Tawny
Southern
Unknown
Bradford 11 1
Clay 7 5 16
Escambia 42 2 4
Gadsden
Gulf
Jackson
Washington
102 6
This are the breakdown of the species in each of the counties as indicated by post treatment sampling. The tawny mole cricket poses a greater threat as far as damage to lawns, pastures and athletic fields is concerned.

10. Ormia depleta (Red-Eyed Fly)
Native of South America
Larvae 7 days; pupae 11 days
Adults attracted to mole crickets by song (tawny and southern)

11. Ormia depleta (Red-Eyed Fly)
Northern range may be limited by lack of nectar sources
Nectar sources in Florida are unknown

12. Larra bicolor (Sphecid Wasp)
Mole cricket paralyzed by sting
Egg laid on underside of thorax
Egg hatches in 6-7 days; larva feeds on mole cricket for 14 days; pupae 6-10 weeks

13. Larra bicolor (Sphecid Wasp)
Puerto Rico strain attacks tawny, southern and short-winged and requires Spermacoce vercillata for nectar
Bolivian strain attacks tawny and southern and can apparently use other unknown nectar sources
Spermacoce vercillata

14. Author: Richard Sprenkel
University of Florida
NFREC, Quincy
Department of Entomology & Nematology