Roesel's Bush Crickets

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Scientific name:  Metrioptera roeselii

Size:  Approx. 20mm long

Distribution:  Mostly found in coastal meadows but rapidly extending its range

Months seen:  April to October

Life span:  Up to 10 months

Habitat:  Damp meadows and areas of rough grassland

Food:  Leaves and small insects

Special features:  Roesel's crickets are one of ten different species of bush cricket found in Britain. They can be distinguished from the other species by a horseshoe-shaped yellow coloured stripe behind the head, on each side of the thorax.

There are two forms of Roesel's crickets.  The first has wings which are much shorter than the abdomen and there is a long winged variety (macropterous form) which has wings which extend well beyond the tip of the abdomen.

Each species of bush cricket produces a unique sound by rubbing its wings together.  The females only respond to sounds made by their own species.  The hearing organs, or ears, of the bush cricket are located on its knees.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Invertebrate Section
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