- "I caught a mole cricket! And I didn't even have to reset!" —New Leaf
Mole crickets (オケラ Okera?) are bugs that can be found during winter and spring. This bug occurs underground, and must be dug up with a shovel. Its droning call is the primary clue to its presence, although in some games villagers will stop and stare at the ground when one is nearby.
Mole crickets can occur under flowers and items but not under trees, rocks, signs or buildings. Over time the mole cricket may move to another spot, but usually not to a spot that has been dug up but not covered. If revealed, the cricket will scuttle away, eventually burying itself and disappearing permanently.
Mole cricket in Animal Forest e+.
Donating to the museum
In Animal Crossing
"My my my! Good gracious! This is a frightfully large mole cricket, eh wot? Yes, rather large indeed. Interesting, isn't it? How its monotonous song drags on and on, while the insect is nowhere to be seen? That very secret is what sets the mole cricked apart from its relatives. You see, it lives underground, wot wot! It may be because it's become a bit scarce, but I believe most folk aren't aware the mole cricket exists. To be nitpicky, it's not actually a true cricket, but rather a distant relative of crickets and grasshoppers. It has ripplingly powerful forelegs for digging. In face, it's these mole-like limbs that give it its name. Its rear legs are shorter than a true cricket's as well. Bleeeeeech! All this talk of bug legs... Simply dreadful!"
In Wild World
When receiving the Mole Cricket, Blathers says:
"The mole cricket is a bug, of course, but it resembles a mole! Hence the name. It's clear once you inspect it's lower half that it is most definitely a cricket. Blech! Add "imitating moles" to the list of unforgivable things bugs are capable of!"
In City Folk
Blathers will say this when he reluctantly takes the bug:
"As both mole crickets and moles dig holes, it's said many parts of their bodies evolved on similar paths... But the mole is nowhere near as off-putting as this bug... How could they be? Moles don't have antennae."
In New Leaf
In New Leaf, an informational board will list this information about this bug:
"Mole crickets live underground in tunnels they dig themselves, moving freely through the soil. Their forelimbs resemble those of moles and are very suitable for the task of digging. They have large wings that allow them to fly, but they can also swim if the need arises. In the past people used to think the noise they made underground was actually coming from worms."
Capture quotes
- "I caught a mole cricket! I wonder if he hates bright lights... (You know, because he's a MOLE cricket?)" —Animal Crossing
- "I caught a mole cricket! I don't see any moles on you, guy!" —Wild World
- "I caught a mole cricket! Proceeding with interrogation!" —City Folk
- "I caught a mole cricket! And I didn't even have to reset!" —New Leaf
Encyclopedia information
Wild World
Bug
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"Though they live in holes in the ground, they can also fly and swim. They're multitalented!" | |
| Size | 35 mm | |
| Time | All Day | |
| Season | Winter to Spring | |
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City Folk
Bug
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New Leaf
Bug
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Gallery
Original
.PNG "Mole Cricket (Animal Forest e+ caught).PNG (226 KB)")
Wild World
City Folk
New Leaf
Trivia
- The text displayed upon capturing a mole cricket used in New Leaf could be referencing Mr. Resetti, as he is a mole.
- A glitch sometimes occurs in GCN where mole crickets are present, but do not make sound. Villagers that stop to look at the hidden insect are the only clue to their presence in those situations.
Further information
A real-life mole cricket, species Gryllotalpa brachyptera.
Mole crickets can be found throughout the world, specifically in more temperate climates. They are nocturnal and hibernate during the winter. They are rarely seen, as they live underground in tunnel networks, but are nonetheless regarded as pests. They have large forelimbs that can be used to dig and swim. They are roughly three to five centimeters long and are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In some areas of Asia they are eaten, but only when fried. Mole Crickets also feature as a character in another of Nintendo's games - Mother 3.
