Platycleis albopunctata explained

Platycleis albopunctata[1] is a species of European bush cricket in the tribe Platycleidini.

This species occurs throughout Europe and in North Africa; several subspecies have been described (below). The nominate subspecies occurs in the British Isles where it is often called the grey bush cricket.

Description and Biology

In mainland Europe, grey bush crickets can be confused with the very similar to P. grisea. Their habitat includes areas with low and dry vegetation, such as sunny slopes and sandy open fields. The primary colour of the body is greyish to brownish, often with reddish brown elements on the upper side of the head and neck. The wings are long.

P. albopunctata is omnivorous, eating both plants and smaller insects. The males can be fairly aggressive and attract mates with a song consisting of a rather weak "zirr".

Subspecies

The Orthoptera Species File[2] lists:

References

  1. Goeze (1778) Entomologische Beyträge zu des Ritter Linné zwölften Ausgabe des Natursystems 2: 89.
  2. http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1142539 Orthoptera Species File (retrieved 8 February 2021)

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