National Insect Week returns in 2022

Oak bush-cricket

(Meconema thalassinum)

Order

Crickets & grasshoppers

Found living in ancient woodlands, hedgerows, gardens and parks, the oak bush-cricket. This species lives in tree and shrub canopies and the adults are strong flyers.

What do they look like?

Lime green with a pale yellow stripe along the back. The females have a long ovipositor (egg-laying tube).

Where do they live?

Found in trees, hedgrerows and shrubs

When can you see them?

Nymphs can be seen from June and adults appear in July to the autumn months

Life cycle

An arboreal species and the only largely carnivorous bush-cricket that eats other small invertebrates. Females lay their eggs in bark, mosses and lichens.

Did you know?

The oak bush-cricket does not 'sing' like many other crickets but uses its legs to drum on leaves and branches instead.

Where can they be found?

The Midlands, Wales and southern England

What is National Insect Week?

National Insect Week encourages people of all ages to learn more about insects.

Every two years, the Royal Entomological Society organises the week, supported by a large number of partner organisations with interests in the science, natural history and conservation of insects.