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Great Green Bush-cricket

Great Green Bush-cricket ©Bruce Shortland

Great green bush-cricket

Scientific name: Tettigonia viridissima
At nearly 7 cm long (including the female's long ovipositor), the Great green bush-cricket certainly lives up to its name! It can be found in grassland, scrub and woodland rides in Southern England and Wales.

Species information

Statistics

Length: up to 7cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

May to October

About

The large Great green bush-cricket lives in trees and on grassland dotted with patches of scrub, eating vegetation and other insects. It prefers light, dry soils into which the females can lay their eggs using their very long, down-curved ovipositors. The males display to females by rubbing their forewings together to produce a very loud, long 'song'; they sound like a sewing machine going continuously for long periods, but their expert camouflage still makes them hard spot. The nymphs do not have wings.

How to identify

The Great green bush-cricket is easily recognised as it is by far our largest bush-cricket. It is green with an orangey-brown stripe running the length of the body, and long wings.

Distribution

Found in Southern England and South Wales.

Habitats

Did you know?

The Great green bush-cricket is notorious for giving handlers a painful nip: best left well alone!

How people can help

The Wildlife Trusts work closely with farmers, landowners and planners to ensure that our wildlife is protected and to promote wildlife-friendly practices. By working together, we can create Living Landscapes: networks of habitats stretching across town and country that allow wildlife to move about freely and people to enjoy the benefits of nature. Support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.