Oak Bush-cricket - Meconema thalassinum

Length 13-17 mm. Small, pale green with a yellowish stripe along the back. The female has a long, slightly upturned ovipositor; the male has long curved cerci. Both sexes are fully winged.

Found in Oak woodland but also on other deciduous trees and on hedgerow and garden shrubs.

Adults present from late July until autumn.

This is a completely arboreal species. It is the only Bush-cricket which is largely carnivorous, eating a range of other insects. Eggs are laid in crevices in bark or under mosses or lichens.

It is common and widespread in the Midlands, the south of England and Wales.

Local and infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common in Charnwood Forest, odd records from elsewhere, but probably under-recorded; habitats include woodland, large hedges and gardens.