SPECKLED BUSH-CRICKET |
LEPTOPHYES PUNCTATISSIMA |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: With a tiny wingspan up to 16mm this flightless species is easily recognised by the short wings, the heavily speckled lush green body and the gangling appearance. A white stripe runs through the eye and along the thorax with mature specimens having a brown strip that runs along the back of the thorax and abdomen. BEHAVIOUR: Mooches around in dense vegetation and general undergrowth. Eggs are laid inside plant stems or beneath bark with the nymphs emerging in May and June. The call is high pitched andis a repetitive chirp that can be barely picked up by the human ear. DISTRIBUTION: Southern Britain becoming rarer towards the north. Absent from Scotland. HABITAT: Hedgerows, gardens and parks. PERIOD: May to October. |