David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

________________________________________________________Grasshoppers and Crickets 8 - Roesel's Bush Crickets

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (m)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f) ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f) ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (f)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (m)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (nymph)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (first instar nymph)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (m)

ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET Roeseliana roeselii (m) form diluta

• This series of pictures illustrates a partial life-history of Roesel's Bush Cricket Roeseliana roeselii. This insect first started to colonise the UK in earnest at the beginning of the 1980s. Several of the six nymphal stages (instars) are shown although not to scale. The final photograph (from a scanned transparency) is of the macropterous (long-winged) migratory form diluta of this insect - although this individual is not as macropterous as it might have been as the ends of its wings have been trimmed. This may either be a consequence of natural wear and tear or they could have been nibbled by the jaws of another Roesel's. The penultimate photograph (also copied from an old transparency) illustrates a stridulating male with slightly pointed intermediate length wings – too short to be any use for flying but longer than the brachypterous wings of most adults. It is not known if this form has been allocated a name, but ‘semidiluta’ would appear to be appropriate if it hasn’t got one. Even if it has, the length of the wings does appear to have some degree of variability. The migratory long-winged form appears predominantly during hot summers and enables the species to extend its geographical range rapidly while conditions are suitable. Such migrations may also be in response to local over-population. First instar nymphs are delightful little creatures with disproportionately enormous heads – as may be seen in one of David’s short films (see links below).

· David’s short films of Roesel’s Bush Crickets in action may be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evUxgy55H9Q&list=PL4AirIEc0Nocv0Tjw-fnE-ZZnVrGmXd39&index=6; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh2QYdXsxfs&list=PL4AirIEc0Nocv0Tjw-fnE-ZZnVrGmXd39&index=25 and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuRSOgwY37U&list=PL4AirIEc0Nocv0Tjw-fnE-ZZnVrGmXd39&index=21.

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