Damage of Chinese yam by African mole cricket, Gryllotalpa africana Palisot de Beauvois, and its control by chemicals.

Abstract

Studies on the unidentified agent causing damage to the tuberous roots of the Chinese yam, Dioscorea opposita THUNB, cultivated in Ishikawa Prefecture were carried out. It was found that African mole crickets caused the damage and a variety of symptoms affecting the size and shape of every part of the tuberous roots was observed. The damage which appeared in early September when the cracks under the ground around the yam began to be formed due to the rapid growth of the tuberous roots persisted until early October. It was considered that the cracks were used as tunnels through which mole crickets moved to the tuberous roots to attack them. Soil application of isoxathion micro-granules was effective in preventing the damage. Appropriate timing of the application of the chemical was early and late September which coincided with the active period of mole crickets. Soil treatment with isoxathion micro-granules or its dust mixed with rice bran before planting was not very effective.

The underground life of the oriental mole cricket: an analysis of burrow morphology

“…The oriental mole cricket G. orientalis Brumeister (1839) has seasonal wing dimorphism with a univoltine life cycle in the study area (Endo, 2006). Although their detailed food preference has not been examined, they damage crops such as potatoes, sugar canes and Chinese yam (Sakurai, Tsutsumi & Hotta, 1960; Matsuura, Oda & Ishizaki, 1985), suggesting that they are predominantly herbivorous. Eggs are found in the field mainly from April to July.…”

Genome Survey Sequencing of the Mole Cricket Gryllotalpa orientalis

“…G. orientalis, a species of mole cricket that inhabits predominantly Asian countries but also lives in European and African countries [5], causes damage to crops such as potatoes, sugar canes, and Chinese yam [6,7] (Figure 1). Previously, detailed studies of their life history have already been extensively investigated [8][9][10].…”