Great Green Bush-cricket
Tettigonia viridissima
The Great Green Bush-cricket is a prominent species of bush-cricket characterized by its bright green color and extremely long antennae. Both sexes possess well-developed wings that extend far beyond the hind knees, making them capable flyers. The species is best known for the loud, piercing song produced by the males, which can be heard from warm afternoons until late at night.
Details
Identification
Uniformly green body (rarely yellowish), brown dorsal stripe on the pronotum, wings significantly longer than the abdomen, female ovipositor almost straight.
Social behavior
Solitary; males defend singing perches against rivals.
Diet
Predominantly predatory, feeding on other insects (flies, caterpillars, aphids), occasionally consuming soft plant parts.
Hunting strategy
Ambush predator; uses long antennae to detect prey within the vegetation.
Spawning substrate
Eggs are laid individually or in small groups into loose soil.
Overwintering
Overwinters as an egg in the soil; embryonic development usually takes two years.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator for smaller insects; serves as a food source for birds and bats.
Natural predators
Birds (e.g., Red-backed Shrike), bats, spiders, small carnivorous mammals.
Competitor species
Other large bush-crickets such as the Upland Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia cantans).
Ecosystem service
Biological pest control through the consumption of aphids and caterpillars.
Threats
Agricultural intensification, frequent mowing, use of insecticides, loss of habitat.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Very long wings significantly exceeding the hind knees. Antennae are as long as or longer than the body. Females have a long, sword-like, slightly downward-curved ovipositor.
Habitat
Euryoecious; inhabits sunny habitats such as fallow land, meadows, gardens, forest edges, and cereal fields. Prefers vertical structures like shrubs and trees.
Diet
Omnivorous with a high predatory proportion; feeds on insects (aphids, flies, larvae) and soft plant parts.