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
© Chris Gibson