OAK BUSH-CRICKET

The Latin name for this cricket is Meconema thalassinum.

This is the only British Bush-cricket to live in trees, especially oak. The adults hide among foliage by day, becoming active after dark, normally from August to November.

This is a small, slender Bush-cricket with a body length of about 1.5cm. Both sexes are green, with body-length wings that allow them to fly. The antennae are very long.

The male drumming on leaves with his hind legs causes the only call, but this is very faint.

The females usually lay their eggs in bark crevices and they hatch the following June.