Species · GBIF taxon 1716128
European Mole Cricket
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpaAlso known as Common Mole Cricket, Churr-worm, Eve-churr
European mole crickets are subterranean insects easily recognized by their powerful, spade-like forelegs adapted for digging through soil. They spend most of their lives underground, excavating complex tunnel networks and feeding on roots, tubers, and soil invertebrates. During spring nights, males construct horn-shaped burrow entrances that amplify their loud, continuous chirping song to attract flying females.
SubterraneanNocturnalBurrowing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Earthworms
- Plant roots
- Insect larvae
Predators
- Moles
- Shrews
- Birds
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat loss, and soil compaction
HabitatsMoist soils, grasslands, agricultural fields, and gardens
Life span2 to 3 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGryllotalpidae
- SpeciesGryllotalpa gryllotalpa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Can deliver a pinch with their powerful digging legs or mandibles; handle with care.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with powerful, heavily sclerotized forelegs and strong mandibles used for digging and chewing through tough roots.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large, velvety brown insect with spade-like front claws and short wings.
- What to do
- Avoid squeezing or tightly holding the insect; observe it on a flat surface or let it walk freely.
Responsible observation
- Listen at Dusk: Listen for a low, mechanical whirring sound coming from damp lawns or fields on warm spring evenings.
- Look for Mounds: Search for small, pushed-up ridges of soil resembling miniature molehills, which indicate active tunneling.
- Gentle Handling: If you find one above ground, let it crawl onto your hand rather than grasping it, as its digging claws can scratch.
Convergent counterpart Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Ainsley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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