Dark Bush Cricket
Pholidoptera griseoaptera
Overview
The Dark Bush Cricket is a stocky, dark brown bush cricket of dense scrub edges. Unlike grasshoppers (which sing by day in sunshine), bush crickets are more active toward evening. The male's song is a series of short chirps: 'chr-chr-chr' at about one per second. It's flightless — short wings cover only the thorax. The Sefton Coast dune scrub, particularly the Bramble and Nettle thickets, holds this species well. Often the last Orthoptera species of the year, active into November.
At a Glance
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Tettigoniidae |
| Habitat | Dense dune scrub · Bramble thickets · Nettle beds |
| Diet | Plant material, small invertebrates — omnivorous |
| UK population | Common in England; one of the most widespread bush crickets |
| Sefton Coast | Common in dune scrub throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Dense dune scrub with Bramble and Nettle at Ainsdale and Formby.
Identification
Stocky, dark brown bush cricket. Very short wings — flightless. Pale yellow-buff sides of abdomen. Long antennae (much longer than grasshoppers). Male: short, sharp chirps in series.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk scrub edges at Ainsdale in August–October in the afternoon. Listen for the 'chr-chr' chirping from Bramble. They're well-camouflaged but can often be spotted once the sound location is narrowed down.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do crickets differ from grasshoppers in their song?
Grasshoppers stridulate by rubbing a hind leg against the forewing. Crickets (including bush crickets) rub the two forewings together — a different mechanism producing different sounds. Bush cricket songs are typically higher-pitched and more rhythmic than grasshopper songs, and many species sing primarily in the evening rather than the daytime.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.