mole cricket

A burrowing, grasshopper-like insect; body large, to 48 mm/2 in, and heavily armoured; forelegs powerful, spade-like, used for digging; digs galleries underground; feeds on insects, seedlings and tubers; c.50 species, all of which produce sound by vibration (stridulation). (Order: Orthoptera. Family: Gryllotalpidae.)

The mole crickets comprise a family (Gryllotalpidae) of thick-bodied insects about 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) long, with large beady eyes and shovel-like forelimbs highly developed for burrowing and swimming.