– Foot Care Behind Glass

For a few days, a bush-cricket took up residence in my living room. She was green, with long antennae and wings. The fine pattern on her wings reminded me of leaf veins. In total, she measured just under four centimetres to the tips of her wings. Later, I discovered she was a Common Sickle Bush-Cricket.

When I carefully caught her under a glass, she did not startle. She even continued to clean her feet, glancing up at me every now and then. I had the feeling she was observing me, too. So, while I tried to take the best possible photos of her, she devoted herself to her foot care.

The image shows a close-up, high-angle shot of a bright green Common Sickle Bush-Cricket (katydid) captured inside a transparent glass or plastic container. The insect is positioned upside down or clinging diagonally, with its long, slender antennae extending downward across the bottom of the container.

[Image: Common Sickle Bush-Cricket. Source: own photo]

In the close-ups, some details are clearly visible: a bent leg, a foot at the mouthparts, and the tiny dots on her body. For me, it was a rare opportunity to watch an insect this closely, something I seldom get to do.

Whether she was truly relaxed, of course, I cannot know. But that is how she appeared to me. This impression is just as much a part of the encounter for me as the curiosity about exactly which species had been sharing my living room for a few days. The following details refer to the Common Sickle Bush-Cricket (Source: Orthoptera.ch):

Species Identification

At first, I thought she was a Speckled Bush-Cricket. However, comparing images brought the Common Sickle Bush-Cricket, Phaneroptera falcata, to the forefront. The exact species identification is not yet certain. The species portrait on Orthoptera gave me an insight into her way of life.

The Common Sickle Bush-Cricket has a body that is only about 12 to 18 millimetres long. Her hindwings are significantly longer. The approximately four centimetres of my visitor include the wings. This distinction is important when comparing identification data. The similar Four-Pointed Sickle Bush-Cricket can be distinguished, among other things, by the shape of the pronotum and the appendages at the end of the abdomen.

Habitat

The Common Sickle Bush-Cricket inhabits warm locations with taller vegetation and bushes, including fallow land, embankments, and meadows rich in scrub. Such structures belong to her habitat.

Song, Food, and Egg Laying

I find it particularly interesting how much of such an animal’s life escapes our immediate perception. The song of the Common Sickle Bush-Cricket consists of quiet sounds with a frequency focus of 17 to 28 kilohertz. Outdoors, it is difficult to perceive without an ultrasound detector. Her diet includes flowers, leaves, and small insects. The females lay their eggs between the upper and lower skin of shrub leaves; there they overwinter.

Back into the Green

Outside, I held the glass against a leaf. The bush-cricket walked over calmly. The photo of her on the leaf also occupies my thoughts. The green colour, the elongated wings, and their fine veining blend astonishingly well into the surroundings. In the picture, I know where to look. How many times have I probably walked past such a creature without noticing?

A vibrant green Common Sickle Bush-Cricket resting on a large, textured green leaf outdoors. The insect demonstrates perfect camouflage, as its body shape and the intricate, vein-like patterns on its wings closely mimic the texture and color of the surrounding foliage. Its long, slender hind legs and antennae are visible against the leaves.

[Image: Perfect Camouflage! Common Sickle Bush-Cricket on a green leaf. Source: own photo]

My photos show a small excerpt of this encounter. I particularly like the image where she leads her foot to her mouth. This everyday detail caught my attention and made me curious to learn more about her.

This is how I wish to write about the insects I encounter. I share my observations, my photos, and the knowledge I gather along the way. With this bush-cricket, the exact species is not yet determined. However, I was able to observe her careful foot care from close quarters.

Until next time,

Helga