The Speckled Bush Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima) has a body length from 9 – 18 mm and is robust and round-backed. It is coloured green and heavily speckled black. Its eggs are laid in crevices in bark, where they overwinter, with the nymphs emerging in May. These mature into adults from late July. They are said to be often associated with bramble but this one was found resting on oak leaves.
This cricket is one 9 Orthopterans and 168 insect species that have been recorded so far in Charlton Down Nature Area.
Useful Books and Links
A Pocket Guide to the Grasshoppers, Crickets and Allied Insects of Britain and Ireland, Bryan J Pinchen, Forficula Books, 2006, ISBN: 9780954934934.
A Photographic Guide to the Grasshoppers & Crickets of Britain and Ireland, Martin Evans and Roger Edmondson, Wild Guide UK, 2007, ISBN: 9780954950613.
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Charlton Down Nature Area 