Oak Bush-cricket

Name: Oak Bush-cricket

Scientific name: Meconema thalassinum

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: A resident of warm ancient woodlands and parkland oaks. Found in the canopy of mature trees, this is our only completely arboreal species, and as a result is probably one of the least often seen. However, the adults do fly well and are attracted to lights at night, occasionally turning up in moth traps. About 2cm long.

How to identify: Lime green, with medium length wings and an orangey brown strip running down the back. Lacks the black dots of the Speckled Bush Cricket.

Where: England and Wales.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 30
• Agility: 70
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 40
• Traveller: 20

Fantastic fact: Female bush crickets can be told from the males by having a long, curved ovipositor at the end of the body. Males have two short, rounded claspers.

Photograph credit: Photo credit tbc