# Speckled bush-cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima) > A small, flightless green bush-cricket with dark speckles found on shrubs and garden vegetation across much of Europe. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/speckled-bush-cricket/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Speckled bush-crickets are harmless to people. They do not have a venomous bite; bites are extremely rare and would be minor if they occur. No special first aid is normally required beyond cleaning a minor nip. **Pets:** Not dangerous to cats or dogs. Large numbers could nibble tender plants but they are not toxic to pets. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Leptophyes punctatissima - Also called: Spotted bush-cricket - Order: Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and crickets) - Family: Tettigoniidae (Bush-crickets) - Size: 10-18 mm body length (smaller males, larger females) - Colours: Green, Dark brown speckles, Yellow-green highlights, Black (spots and eye) - Habitat: Hedgerows, gardens, scrub, woodland edges and parks — on shrubs, nettles and low branches - Range: Widespread in Europe, from the British Isles and western Europe across central Europe; common in temperate regions - Active: Nymphs from May; adults mainly from late July to November; active mostly at dusk and night, though often seen by day - Lifespan: Adults live for several weeks to a few months in late summer and autumn; one generation per year, with eggs overwintering (sometimes for two winters) - Effect on plants: Minor herbivore - Pest: no ## Overview Leptophyes punctatissima is a small, mostly wingless bush-cricket common in gardens, hedgerows and scrub across much of Europe. It is usually seen on shrubs, nettles and low tree branches where it feeds on leaves, flowers and pollen. Nymphs appear in spring and adults from late summer into autumn; eggs are laid in plant stems or bark and overwinter before hatching the following spring. The species is non-aggressive and harmless to people. ## How to identify it Adults are predominantly bright green with numerous dark speckles across the body and legs and a slightly hump-backed appearance. Wings are either very short or reduced so the insect cannot fly; females have a curved ovipositor at the rear for laying eggs. Antennae are long, much longer than the body. Males are smaller than females and produce a soft, high-pitched song. - 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 ## Lookalikes - **Oak bush-cricket** (Meconema thalassinum): Meconema has longer, functional wings and a more slender body; it often flies and has a different, softer colouring without dense speckling. - **Roesel's bush-cricket** (Metrioptera roeselii): Roesel's is brown or greenish-brown with a cream border along the side of the pronotum and pale spots behind it; it lives in rough grassland rather than on shrubs and has a loud, continuous buzzing song. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Eggs are inserted into plant stems, bark crevices or leaf litter in late summer and autumn and overwinter until spring. - **Nymph:** Nymphs resemble small adults but lack fully developed reproductive organs; they go through several moults while feeding on vegetation. - **Adult:** Adults appear from late July and persist into autumn; they mate and the female lays the overwintering eggs. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Leaves, soft plant tissue and pollen of various herbaceous plants and shrubs - Adults eat: Leaves, flowers, pollen and occasional small invertebrates; largely herbivorous - Predators of the young: Birds, spiders, predatory insects and small mammals - Predators of adults: Birds, bats, spiders and predatory insects ## Effect on plants and gardens Feeds on leaves, flowers and pollen of a range of shrubs, herbaceous plants and garden vegetation. Damage is usually minor and not economically important. ## Where and when to find it Look on shrubs, nettles, brambles and low tree branches. Eggs are in stems or bark; nymphs and adults on leaves and flowers. - Best time: Adults are best seen August to October; nymphs from May. Search at dusk or after dark with a torch, or by day on sunny foliage. - Tips: Move slowly and search foliage at eye level or lower. A macro lens and diffuse light help capture details; photographing the ovipositor helps confirm females. ## Fun facts - Despite having very short wings, males produce a soft high-pitched song used to attract females. - They are common in gardens and often go unnoticed because their green colour blends with foliage. - Females use a curved ovipositor to insert eggs into plant stems or bark where they overwinter. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do speckled bush-crickets bite? Bites are extremely rare. They are not aggressive and any bite would be minor; no medical treatment is normally needed. ### Are speckled bush-crickets dangerous? No. They are non-venomous and harmless to people and pets. ### Why is a speckled bush-cricket in my house? Occasional individuals may wander indoors from nearby vegetation, especially in late summer or autumn. They do not infest homes and usually leave or can be gently returned outside. ### How do I get rid of speckled bush-crickets in my garden? They are not usually worth controlling. For minor problems reduce dense vegetation, remove long grass or nettles, hand-pick if desired, or encourage natural predators like birds. ### Where do speckled bush-crickets live? They live on shrubs, hedgerows, nettles and low tree branches in gardens, parks, woodland edges and scrub across much of Europe. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/131035), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speckled_bush-cricket). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.