Great Green Bush-cricket
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
The green grasshopper, Tettigonia viridissima, is found in most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa. They inhabit meadows, grasslands, prairies, and occasionally, gardens up to an elevation of 1,800 meters. Adult males grow to be 28-36 mm long, while females reach 32-42 mm. Their distinguishing features include long antennae and a rust-colored band on the body. They are carnivorous, feeding on flies, caterpillars, and larvae, and are active during both day and night. While they are capable of flying, they prefer to move on foot or by jumping.
Distribution and habitat#
This species can be encountered in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, in the Near East, and in North Africa, especially in meadows, grasslands, prairies and occasionally in gardens at an elevation up to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) above sea level.
Description#
The adult males grow up to 28–36 millimetres (1.1–1.4 in) long, while females reach 32–42 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). This insect is most often completely green (but there are specimens completely yellowish or with yellow legs), excluding a rust-colored band on top of the body. The organ of the stridulation of the males is generally brown. Tettigonia viridissima is distinguished by its very long and thin antennae, which can sometimes reach up to three times the length of the body, thus differentiating them from grasshoppers, which always carry short antennae. It could be confused with Tettigonia cantans, whose wings are a centimeter shorter than the ovipositor, or Tettigonia caudata, whose hind femurs bear conspicuous black spines. The morphology of both sexes is very similar, but the female has an egg-laying organ (ovipositor) that can reach a length of 23–32 millimetres (0.91–1.26 in). It reaches the end of the elytra and is slightly curved downward.The larvae are green and as the imago show a thin brown longitudinal stripe on their back. The ovipositor can be seen from the fifth stage; the wings appear in both genders from the sixth stage.
Biology#
Tettigonia viridissima is carnivorous and arboreal. Its diet is mostly composed of flies, caterpillars and larvae. Unlike grasshoppers, it is essentially active in day and night, as testified by its endless crepuscular and nocturnal singing. The species can bite painfully but is not particularly aggressive. It is best to avoid holding the insect in the fist, as that almost guarantees a bite. They can fly, but they tend to avoid flying where possible. Most often they move “on foot” or jumps, which allow them to travel about in bushes and trees.
External links#
Data related to Tettigonia viridissima at Wikispecies Media related to Tettigonia viridissima at Wikimedia Commons Video of Tettigonia viridissima in a tree Insectes-net Tettigonia viridissima Green grasshopper eating a butterfly
The green grasshopper, Tettigonia viridissima, is found in most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa. They inhabit meadows, grasslands, prairies, and occasionally, gardens up to an elevation of 1,800 meters. Adult males grow to be 28-36 mm long, while females reach 32-42 mm. Their distinguishing features include long antennae and a rust-colored band on the body. They are carnivorous, feeding on flies, caterpillars, and larvae, and are active during both day and night. While they are capable of flying, they prefer to move on foot or by jumping.
Ancestry Graph
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