Best time to see: late Jul to end Nov

Key facts

A large, grass green bush-cricket with wings extending well beyond the end of its body

Uncommon in Essex, along the coast and the Thames Estuary; distributed across southern England and especially coasts

Frequent rough grassland when young, also scrub and brambles when mature

Recognition

Grass green with a brown stripe along its back and long wings extending well beyond the end of its abdomen

Body length up to 5 cm, with the female's slightly downcurved ovipositor extending half as long again

On warm days from late July on, males make their prolonged buzzing calls through the afternoon and into night

Lifecycle

Female lays eggs in late summer into the ground; the eggs over-winter and the nymphs emerge from mid-May on