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When to look
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Bush-cricket
Good to know
Six things about the bush-cricket
SongA long buzz
The male's song is a long, high buzz, a bit like the hum of overhead power lines. Many adults cannot hear it.
FeelersCricket or grasshopper?
Bush-crickets have feelers longer than their body. Grasshoppers have short, stubby ones.
EarsEars on its knees
A bush-cricket's ears are on its front legs, just below the knees.
SpreadOn the move
It used to live only near the south-east coast, but has spread across much of England in the last few decades.
MarkA cream crescent
Look for the pale cream edge round the side of the saddle, and three yellow spots just behind it.
FoodNot just grass
Bush-crickets eat grass and seeds, and small insects too.
The real thing
Photos of the bush-cricket
Out and aboutHow to spot one
Listen in long grass on hot afternoons from July for a continuous high buzz. Then creep towards the sound and look on the grass stems.
Lend a handHow to help
Leave grass uncut through summer and autumn. They lay their eggs inside grass stems, so mowing removes the next generation.
Following youLadybird
Who should follow you?
Bees and hoverflies
Butterflies and moths
Dragonflies and damselflies
Beetles, hoppers and ants
Not insects at all
Snails and spiders aren't insects: a snail is a mollusc, and spiders have eight legs.
Garden birds
Pond animals live on the Pond page: choosing one takes you there.
Pond life
Night garden
Seashore animals live on the Seashore page: choosing one takes you there.
Rock pool life
Woodland animals
Under a log
Meadow life
River animals live on the River page: choosing one takes you there.
River life
Mountain and moor
Farmland
Town and city
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