Leptophyes punctatissima
This is a flightless green cricket which is covered in tiny dark speckles, which is where it gets its name from. It has a pale yellow line running from each eye towards the abdomen, and a broad brown line running down the centre of its back, although immature Speckled Bush-crickets have a thin pale yellow line. The males have small brown flightless wings, whilst the female has but two tiny flaps. The female has a sickle-shaped ovipositor. Its scratchy call is so quiet it can hardly be heard by humans. Length 10 to 20mm.
They feed on a wide range of vegetation.
Seen July to November. Found resting on vegetation like nettles or brambles in hedgerows or woodland margins, and sometimes gardens. Common andwidespread in the south of England and Wales, although it often goes unnoticed due to its excellent camouflage.
All photographs taken June 2014, local woodland path, Staffordshire.
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