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Speckled bush cricket
Leptophyes punctatissima
The speckled bush-cricket is a species of bush-cricket common in well vegetated areas of England and Wales, such as woodland margins, hedgerows and gardens.
The eggs are laid, in late summer, into tree bark or plant stems where they remain over winter. The nymphs emerge in May and June and mature as adult speckled bush crickets by mid August.
You can find these insects perched motionless in bushes and sometimes in porches and on window ledges. They are most active at dusk and at night.
Females can be identified by their sabre-like ovipositor (see illustration).
What does it eat?
Feeds on leaves and flowers of a variety of plants.
When will I see it?
Nymphs can be found from mid May to mid-August and adults from August to late October.
Where will I see it?
Often to be found perched on bushes or flowers in hedgerows and around the margins of woodlands, but it also frequents gardens and parks.