Identifying characteristics of Scapteriscus spp. (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) apparent predators of marine turtle eggs

Abstract

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (Vandelli, 1761) is classified by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) as a critically endangered species. Hatching success is as low as 35% in French Guiana, which hosts ≈40% of the worldwide nesting activity. It has recently been shown that mole crickets contribute to the destruction of the leatherbacks at the Amana Natural Reserve. The aim of this paper is to document our observations about these potential predators of marine turtles. Identification keys and sound recordings are provided for Scapteriscus didactylus (Latreille, 1804) and Scapteriscus borellii (Giglio-Tos, 1894), mole cricket species that live in French Guiana. An abundance index of the presence of juveniles and adults was developed to study mole cricket populations in turtle rookeries and promote new observations. © 2005 Entomological Society of America.