Gryllotalpa Gryllotalpa, commonly named European mole cricket, is a member of the insect family Gryllotalpidae, in the order Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets). The insect reaches a body length of 3 to 5 cm. The females are smaller than the males.
European mole crickets are slightly flattened and yellow to dark brown. The entire body surface has short velvety hairs. Each mole cricket has a pair of well-developed compound eyes and two ocelli. The antennae are filiform and only of moderate length.
European mole crickets are usually fully winged and able to fly. The forewings are transformed into rough cover wings. The thin hind wings are folded at rest and lie under the forewings. European mole crickets can swim and dive well but cannot jump.
European mole crickets live in self-dug burrow systems in the ground. During the mating season, the males produce long-lasting, buzzing ‘rrrrrr’ noises through stridulation.