Studies on pathogenicity and management of mole cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa

Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa was found associated with agricultural crops like, soybean, cowpea and maize. Since it was difficult to observe these crickets causing damage to the growing seedlings, corroboratory studies were conducted in laboratory to find out the extent of damage to the crops and its possible eco-friendly management by the use of botanicals and bio-agents. The data revealed that Tagetes erecta showed 50% mortality at higher dose and 100% mortality in case of Calotropis gigantea and Datura stramonium. Among bio-agents, Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma harzianum and T.virens showed 80% mortality of the mole crickets after 3 days of insect release. The soybean seed was most preferred, 7 to 8 out of 10 seeds were consumed, whereas maize was less damage.