Great green bush-cricket vs Oak bush-cricket

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a great green bush-cricket from an oak bush-cricket, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Tettigonia is much larger (body length 28-42 mm) and bulkier; oak bush-cricket is slim and smaller.

	Great green bush-cricket	Oak bush-cricket
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	28-42 mm body length (excluding ovipositor); females often larger than males	12-18 mm body length (excluding antennae)
Colours	Bright green, Pale yellow, Brown (legs and markings)	Bright green, Pale yellow, Light brown, Black (small markings)
Family	Tettigoniidae	Tettigoniidae
Habitat	Tall grassland, meadows, hedgerows, roadside verges, rough pasture and scrub with tall herb vegetation	Deciduous trees and shrubs (especially oak), woodland edges, parks and gardens; sometimes indoors after being attracted to lights.
Range	Widespread in Europe (including the UK in suitable habitats), extending into temperate Asia. Absent from the far north and from very dry Mediterranean sites in some regions.	Broadly across Europe, including Britain and Ireland, into western Asia; introduced to northeastern North America.
Active	Late spring to early autumn; adults most visible in summer. Active by day and at night (males sing at dusk and night).	Adults from mid-summer to autumn; mainly nocturnal but can be seen in daytime when disturbed.
Pest?	No	No

Very large bright green body with long filamentous antennae far exceeding body length
Females have a long, curved ovipositor projecting beyond abdomen tip
Males produce a loud continuous trilling song heard at dusk and night
Found on tall grasses and herb stems rather than low-growing turf

Small, slim bush-cricket 12-18 mm body length, bright green with pale yellow underside.
Long antennae and fully developed, flat wings that allow weak flight.
Found on tree trunks, branches or attracted to lights at night; females have a long upcurved ovipositor.
More delicate and smaller than common meadow bush-crickets and lacks conspicuous loud song typical of some tettigoniids.

Tettigonia is much larger (body length 28-42 mm) and bulkier; oak bush-cricket is slim and smaller.

Great green bush-cricket: Non-toxic. Oak bush-cricket: Non-toxic. Not venomous. Oak bush-crickets are not dangerous.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.