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Pholidoptera griseoaptera · keršasis žiogas

EN: Dark Bush Cricket DE · Gemeine Strauchschrecke LT · keršasis žiogas PL · podkrzewin szary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_bush-cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera can reach a body length of 11 to 21 mm (males) and 15 to 20 mm (females). The sickle-shaped and upward curved ovipositor of the females is 8 to 10 mm long, while the males have two short cerci. The antennae and the hind legs are quite long.

The rounded brachypterous wings of the males are brown with light brown to ochre-coloured edges and are about 5 mm in length (about as long as the pronotum). The females are almost wingless or have half-round, grey-brown forewings that are 1-2 mm long.

Adults are omnivorous, feeding primarily on small insects such as aphids and caterpillars, but eat also plants such as bramble (Rubus species), dandelion (Taraxacum species) and nettles (Urtica species). The dark bush-cricket present in forest edges or clearings, can be found also in wasteland, parks and gardens, but avoids sandy soils.

The females lay their eggs in the soil, in dead branches, in bark crevices and rotting wood. The eggs need high humidity. The larvae require two years for their full development, with seven larval stages. They feed exclusively on vegetables. Nymphs appear at the end of April of the third year, while the first adults appear in June.