Speckled Bush Cricket - Leptophyes punctatissima (juvenile)

[ladylouise62]

I just had a bit of luck with ID-ing this. I was looking for something else and spotted an ID for this little cutie (honestly, look at the second shot with my thumb over the same leaf to get the size... I only spotted it because I bent down to pick some Oregano (which this leaf is).

[rolf]

Well he's a handsome chap, not sure that I've seen one of those before.

[Catherine]

My, he IS a tiny one!

I've seen these just a few times before - and each time here in the south. I don't know if they travel north well!

Each time it has been a female, with the spade-like ovipositor at its tail end.. Once among some Calla lilies, secondly 'roosting' in an open rose, and thirdly, in the window box outside the kitchen window here.

Was he on his own?

[ladylouise62]

As far as I know, Catherine, he was on his tod - he was so tiny I was lucky to spot him... he was also jumpy, so I was lucky to grab a shot in focus. There could have been a whole army of them there and I wouldn't know But I am sure that I've seen an adult in the garden a few years back, so he may well not be on his own.