DARK BUSH CRICKET |
PHOLIDOPTERA GRISEOAPTERA |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: Length between 13 - 18mm with an ovipositor up to 10mm. Primarily grey-brown to reddish brown throughout with an underside that is a quite startling yellow to yellow-green underside. The wings of both species are small with the female only sporting a pair of vestigal lobes (Fig 1). The female's ovipositor is concolorous and is sharply curved upwards. BEHAVIOUR: Feeds upon various insects as well as vegetation such as Nettles and Dandelions. Males are territorial and will defend their chosen area against other intruding males. The song is a high pitched chirrup that is repeated without any regular rhythm. Eggs are laid in rotten wood or bark crevices where they overwinter. DISTRIBUTION: Locally common in southern Britain. HABITAT: Open scrubby glades in woodland, woodland edges, hedgerows, dry bushy areas and wasteland with appropriate overgrown vegetation. PERIOD: July to November. |