Characteristics

  • Variable size, often medium to large (20–40 mm)
  • Wings usually developed, though some species are brachypterous (reduced wings)
  • Very long and thin antennae, often 2–3× the body length
  • Hind legs adapted for jumping, but less massive than in grasshoppers
  • Ovipositor clearly visible in females (saber-shaped or slightly curved)
  • Color often green, sometimes brown or camouflaged

Habitat

Tettigoniidae are found in:

  • Fallows, hedges, natural meadows, and late-mowed grasslands
  • Heathlands, garrigue, forest clearings
  • Tall vegetation: grasses, nettles, brambles, ferns…
  • Humid or dry environments depending on species

Biology

  • Nocturnal or crepuscular, often discreet
  • Males stridulate by rubbing their elytra, each species with a unique call
  • Sexual reproduction, mating followed by egg-laying in stems or soil
  • Nymphs resemble adults without wings (hemimetabolous development)
  • Adults live only a few weeks

Common genera

  • Tettigonia – Large green bush-crickets (Tettigonia viridissima, T. cantans)
  • Phaneroptera – Graceful, long-winged bush-crickets (Phaneroptera falcata)
  • Conocephalus – Small, shrill-sounding bush-crickets, sometimes in humid areas
  • Leptophyes – Green, often brachypterous species in shrubs

Particularities

  • Species-specific calls, often inaudible without ultrasound detectors
  • Mixed diet: mainly herbivorous, some species also consume small insects
  • Females lay eggs in stems, soil, or under leaves
  • Found in a wide variety of open, undisturbed habitats

Genus Leptophyes

Leptophyes punctatissima
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Leptophyes
Species punctatissima
Common name Speckled bush-cricket
Identifier Bosc d’Antic
Year of identification 1792
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color yellow-green
Male min size 10
Male max size 14
Female min size 12
Female max size 17
Period start July
Period end November
Range Europe

Genus Meconema

Meconema meridionale
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Meconema
Species meridionale
Common name Southern oak bush-cricket
Identifier Costa
Year of identification 1860
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color light green
Male min size 11
Male max size 16
Female min size 12
Female max size 16
Period start September
Period end October
Range Europe

Genus Metrioptera

Metrioptera saussuriana
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Metrioptera
Species saussuriana
Common name Saussure’s bush-cricket
Identifier Frey-Gessner
Year of identification 1872
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color brown-green
Male min size 16
Male max size 18
Female min size 17
Female max size 24
Period start June
Period end September
Range Europe

Genus Phaneroptera

Phaneroptera sp

Phaneroptera falcata
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Phaneroptera
Species falcata
Common name Sickle-bearing bush-cricket
Identifier Fieber
Year of identification 1853
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color yellow-green
Male min size 13
Male max size 15
Female min size 13
Female max size 15
Period start August
Period end October
Range Europe, North Africa

Phaneroptera nana
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Phaneroptera
Species nana
Common name Southern sickle-bearing bush-cricket
Identifier Fieber
Year of identification 1853
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color yellow-green
Male min size 13
Male max size 15
Female min size 13
Female max size 15
Period start August
Period end October
Range Europe, North Africa

Genus Pholidoptera

Pholidoptera griseoaptera
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Pholidoptera
Species griseoaptera
Common name Dark bush-cricket
Identifier De Geer
Year of identification 1773
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color light brown to chestnut or nearly black
Male min size 13
Male max size 15
Female min size 15
Female max size 18
Period start May
Period end November
Range Europe

Genus Tettigonia

Tettigonia viridissima
Order Orthoptera
Family Orthoptera Tettigoniidae
Genus Tettigonia
Species viridissima
Common name Great green bush-cricket
Identifier Linnaeus
Year of identification 1758
IUCN category (2001-2003) LC (Least Concern)
Color green
Male min size 28
Male max size 36
Female min size 32
Female max size 42
Period start July
Period end October
Range Europe, Asia