WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Fairly common and widespread in the South below a line running from the South coast of Wales up to the North-east Midlands. It is rare in the South West. It is expanding North and West. Habitat includes: damp and also dry places such as grassland (especially where it floods in winter), roadside verges, wasteland etc. It often occurs alongside Cone-heads. Length: Length 13 - 23 mm. Life story: Nymphs hatch in May. Adults appear from early to mid July and remain through to October. Diet: grasses. Colour: Green to fully brown and sometimes pink.

ID: - almost parallel side keels on the pronotum - (usually) a white line along the wing (in mature specimens) - a costal bulge on the wings - lack of 'black knees' - straight antennae

Female:

Forewings usually have a conspicuous white costal stripe and a small costal bulge is present along the lower edge towards the base. Her abdomen lacks the conspicuous black patches on the sides

Male:

Lack a costal bulge on the forewings and the wings usually extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. The hind knees never have the black markings