ORTHOPTERA > ENISFERA > Tettigoniidae (Bush-crickets)

A robust, short-winged, flightless species that has widespread distribution across much of southern and central Britain. The main body length (head to tip of abdomen) varies from 13-20mm with no noticeable size difference between the sexes except that fully mature females have a long, sickle-shaped, gently upcurved ovipositor that extends a further 10mm or so. As their common name suggests, they are a dark, rather drab species, with variable brown colouring, often reddish, but ranging from grey-brown to dark chestnut. The males tend to be darker than the females and have two short cerci (tails). Dark Bush-crickets are described as a short-winged species, but in fact it's only the males that have wings as the female's are reduced to tiny flaps.

Despite their near adult appearance, it's likely that individuals of this species encountered during late June and early July will still be in the final instar stages of development; perhaps not so obvious with the females, but closer examination of the males will typically show emergence of small dark wing buds rather than fully formed wings. If the spring months have been settled and warm, they may mature earlier but, in most years, you're unlikely to find adults until mid-July. They will usually persist right through the summer and autumn, possibly way into November.

Unlike sun-loving grasshoppers, bush-crickets are mainly nocturnal during the hot summer months, but towards the end of the season become more active in daylight. They are typically found in scrub and hedgerows around grasslands or woodland edges, particularly where there are areas of brambles and nettles.