Speckled Bush Cricket Leptophyes punctatissima

The Speckled Bush Cricket, also Bush-cricket, is native to much of Europe from the west through to the Urals, including most of the UK and south to the Mediterranean.

The green body, of some 10-15 mm length, is speckled with black. The female, above left, has a long "ovipositor". The male, above centre, has a brown dorsal stripe and short, flightless wings.

The nymph (juvenile) has 4 stages before taking adult form. Above is the final stage.

An early stage of nymph. The eggs, laid in late summer, over-winter and nymphs emerge around May.

Heads or tails? The early nymph seems to have 2 faces, one in front and one from behind.