Dark Bush-cricket, Pholidoptera griseoaptera
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Identification
Body length; both sexes 10mm to 20 mm (+) 10mm ovipositor. This species is essentially wingless.
The basic body colouration may be grey brown, light brown, dark brown or even red-brown with a conspicuous yellow or yellow-green underside. The flanks and limbs are usually speckled darkly. In some lighter coloured specimens, females especially, a series of indistinct, darker, inverted V markings run down the middle of the abdomen, one per segment. The wings are very small in males and reduced to vestigial lobes in the female. The nymphs have a very characteristic dark-edged, yellow or golden line running the length of their bodies from the head to the tip of the abdomen, contrasting with the dark brown flanks. The female ovipositor is strongly curved upwards.
Behaviour and life history
The Dark Bush-cricket is very active and spends most of the day in scrub and overgrown grassy areas from which it chirps incessantly throughout the day and well into dusk. It is an omnivorous species eating both leaves and other invertebrates. Males, when not sunbathing, are aggressive and defend their territories against intruding males. Females lay their eggs in late summer into rotting wood or bark crevices where they overwinter. Nymphs emerge in late April or May and reach maturity in July.
Song
A high-pitched, short chirp repeated rather irregularly.
Where to look for it
The species is found anywhere where there is coarse vegetation with plenty of bramble thickets or other undergrowth in which to hide away or sun themselves. It is often encountered on wasteland, in sunny woodland glades, woodland margins and hedgerows. It is commonly found throughout the built up areas of the city, particularly in gardens.
Distribution and status
Very common and widespread throughout the city, including its densely built up areas.
When to look for it
Nymphs, from May to July; adults, from July to late November or early December.
Similar species
Its size, colouration and virtual absence of wings make this species distinctive and unlikely to be confused with any other.