Speckled bush-cricket vs Oak bush-cricket
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a speckled bush-cricket from an oak bush-cricket, and whether either one bites or stings.
Speckled bush-cricket
Leptophyes punctatissima
Oak bush-cricket
Meconema thalassinum
≠The key differences
Meconema has longer, functional wings and a more slender body; it often flies and has a different, softer colouring without dense speckling.
Leptophyes is flightless with very short wings and a speckled pattern; Meconema has long wings and a plain green appearance.
⚖︎Side by side
| Speckled bush-cricket | Oak bush-cricket | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | 10-18 mm body length (smaller males, larger females) | 12-18 mm body length (excluding antennae) |
| Colours | Green, Dark brown speckles, Yellow-green highlights, Black (spots and eye) | Bright green, Pale yellow, Light brown, Black (small markings) |
| Family | Tettigoniidae | Tettigoniidae |
| Habitat | Hedgerows, gardens, scrub, woodland edges and parks — on shrubs, nettles and low branches | Deciduous trees and shrubs (especially oak), woodland edges, parks and gardens; sometimes indoors after being attracted to lights. |
| Range | Widespread in Europe, from the British Isles and western Europe across central Europe; common in temperate regions | Broadly across Europe, including Britain and Ireland, into western Asia; introduced to northeastern North America. |
| Active | Nymphs from May; adults mainly from late July to November; active mostly at dusk and night, though often seen by day | Adults from mid-summer to autumn; mainly nocturnal but can be seen in daytime when disturbed. |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a speckled bush-cricket
- Bright green body covered with numerous dark speckles (hence 'speckled')
- Very short or reduced wings — species is essentially flightless
- Female has a distinct curved ovipositor at the rear
- Long antennae noticeably longer than the body
🔍How to spot an oak bush-cricket
- 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.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a speckled bush-cricket and an oak bush-cricket?
Meconema has longer, functional wings and a more slender body; it often flies and has a different, softer colouring without dense speckling. Leptophyes is flightless with very short wings and a speckled pattern; Meconema has long wings and a plain green appearance.
Is a speckled bush-cricket or an oak bush-cricket more dangerous?
Speckled bush-cricket: Non-toxic. Oak bush-cricket: Non-toxic. Speckled bush-crickets are harmless to people. 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.