Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

[PeterD]

This is the largest Cricket in Britain (about 20mm long). I saw this beastie in the bushes, took a few careful shots at distance thinking that is all I am likely to get. To my surprise, it seemed to enjoy being a star. It even let me pick it up and move it to a more favourable position.


Click here for larger image.


Click here for larger image.


Click here for larger image.

When I got back home I looked it up in my reference book and found, to my horror, a warning that they can give a very nasty bite. It must have liked me though

[Pol]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

When I got back home I looked it up in my reference book and found, to my horror, a warning that they can give a very nasty bite. It must have liked me though

Of course it liked you. The love in its eyes it plain for all to see.

I reckon you scored there.

Pol

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Of course it liked you. The love in its eyes it plain for all to see.

I reckon you scored there.

Pol

Thanks Pol. I just needed the confidence boost
Unfortunately, it was only a one day stand.

[Pol]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Thanks Pol. I just needed the confidence boost
Unfortunately, it was only a one day stand.

Oh well. Better luck next time, eh.

I'm not very clued up about insects (or most other things either) but I think one of my gallery pics might be a Bush Cricket. I didn't know they might bite either so I'll be aware of that another time.

So - is this picci of mine the same insect as yours?

http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/477/size/big/cat//ppuser/15

Pol

[ash]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

First one looks like the missuz when i have not followed orders

[Caz]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

I'm not a great bug fan (thank goodness I've got cats to get rid of the spiders now ) but that first shot in particular is a cracker.

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Oh well. Better luck next time, eh.

I'm not very clued up about insects (or most other things either) but I think one of my gallery pics might be a Bush Cricket. I didn't know they might bite either so I'll be aware of that another time.

So - is this picci of mine the same insect as yours?

http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/477/size/big/cat//ppuser/15

Pol

Hi Pol.
Your cricket is Speckled bush cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima). Nice shot and just love the floral setting.

The jaws of a cricket are very powerful. Their diet is not only vegetable matter but other insects too. Here is one eating a grasshopper which must have been its own size.


Click here for larger image.

[Pol]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Hi Pol.
Your cricket is Speckled bush cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima). Nice shot and just love the floral setting.

The jaws of a cricket are very powerful. Their diet is not only vegetable matter but other insects too. Here is one eating a grasshopper which must have been its own size.

Thanks for that very useful information. Very helpful.

I found a cricket in the bed this Summer, an upstairs bedroom too! I don't know how it gor there, just happened to feel something kinda sharp when I got into bed, threw back the duvet and there it was.

The only possibilities were that it somehow got in throuh a large, open window or maybe it had been tangled in the folds or elasticated edges of the fitted sheet when I'd brought it in with the washing.

I flicked it onto a piece of paper and out of the window.

Pol

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Thanks for that very useful information. Very helpful.

I found a cricket in the bed this Summer, an upstairs bedroom too! I don't know how it gor there, just happened to feel something kinda sharp when I got into bed, threw back the duvet and there it was.

The only possibilities were that it somehow got in throuh a large, open window or maybe it had been tangled in the folds or elasticated edges of the fitted sheet when I'd brought it in with the washing.

I flicked it onto a piece of paper and out of the window.

Pol

My pleasure Pol
I should not worry too much about ordinary crickets but the Great Green Bush Cricket is at least twice the size! They rarely stray into houses - unless someone knows different.

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

Thanks for your reply

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

I'm not a great bug fan (thank goodness I've got cats to get rid of the spiders now ) but that first shot in particular is a cracker.

Thanks for the reply and comments Caz.
My alsation does much the same thing as your cats. My wife also hates spiders I do not mind them at all though.

[Pops]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

While the first shot shows fantastic head and eye detail I rather favour the last one.
Head, legs and body all showing amazing detail.

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

While the first shot shows fantastic head and eye detail I rather favour the last one.
Head, legs and body all showing amazing detail.

Thank you Pops
It is not often you get a subject to co-operate so well so the praise should go to the model

[Ian]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

What's the difference between a cricket and a grasshopper?

Ian

[PeterD]

Re: Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)

What's the difference between a cricket and a grasshopper?

Ian

Good morning Ian.
The most obvious visual difference is the length of the antenna. The Bush Cricket has very long antenna whilst that of a grasshopper is somewhat less than its body length.
Diet is also a difference. Grasshoppers (includes locust) are vegetarian in their diet whilst Crickets eat both vegetable matter and other insects.