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Roesel's Bush-cricket

Roesel's Bush-cricket ©Philip Precey

Roesel's bush-cricket

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Scientific name: Metrioptera roeselii
The song of the Roesel's bush-cricket is very characteristic: long, monotonous and mechanical. It can be heard in rough grassland, scrub and damp meadows in the south of the UK, but it is spreading north.

Top facts

Category

Stats

Length: up to 2cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

June to October

About

Until the early 20th century, Roesel's bush-cricket was only found on the south-east coast. Recent years have seen a rapid expansion in its range, particularly helped by roadside rough grassland and scrub providing a 'corridor' for it to travel along. It favours damp meadows and grassland, but can be found elsewhere. It is usually wingless, but a rare winged form does exist and fly, and may be more numerous during hot summers.

What to look for

The Roesel's bush-cricket is dark brown with orangey legs, a green face, a creamy border to the thorax, and two or three cream spots on its sides. It is best recognised by its song, which is a long, monotonous, mechanical noise.

Where to find

Found in South East England, but spreading north and west.

Habitats

Did you know?

When stridulating (singing), the Roesel's bush-cricket sounds just like a singing Savi's Warbler, a rare bird that nests in reedbeds. Each species of bush-cricket produces a sound unique to them, and females only respond to the song of their own species.