# Oak Bush-cricket (*Meconema thalassinum*) The Oak Bush-cricket is a small green insect that loves to hide in bushes and trees. It makes a special sound by rubbing its wings together, which is called 'stridulation'. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Oak Bush-cricket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Meconema_thalassinum01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meconema_thalassinum01.jpg) ## Appearance The Oak Bush-cricket is slender and typically bright to yellowish-green, blending seamlessly with leaves. It has extremely long, thread-like antennae that can be twice its body length. Females possess a distinct, sword-like ovipositor curving upwards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Tettigoniidae - **Genus:** Meconema ## Interesting facts - A female Oak Bush-cricket uses her sword-like 'tail' to lay eggs inside tree bark! - Their super-long antennae are their main way to sense the world in the dark! - These crickets don't chirp; they communicate by tapping their antennae on leaves! - You'll often find them living high up in oak trees, rarely coming to the ground! ## Special abilities - **Silent Serenade:** Oak Bush-crickets can 'sing' by tapping their antennae rhythmically on leaves, creating a unique, quiet song that attracts mates. - **Leafy Camouflage:** Oak Bush-crickets have a brilliant green colouration that helps them disappear perfectly among leaves, hiding from hungry predators. - **Springy Escape:** Oak Bush-crickets can make powerful jumps with their strong hind legs, quickly launching themselves away from danger or to new perches. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 12-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on tiny insects and soft leaves found high up in trees. - **Primary Foods:** Aphids, Small caterpillars, Pollen, Soft leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A tasty meal for hungry birds in the canopy. - **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Hunted by bats using echolocation during night flights. - **Depends on:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Lays eggs and finds shelter and food on oak tree leaves. - **Hunts:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — Preys on these small, soft-bodied insects found on tree leaves. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These crickets are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Oak Bush-cricket? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Oak Bush-cricket's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Oak Bush-cricket? 12-16 mm ### How long does Oak Bush-cricket live? 30-60 days ### What does Oak Bush-cricket eat? They munch on tiny insects and soft leaves found high up in trees. ### Where is Oak Bush-cricket usually found? Forests ### How does Oak Bush-cricket hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Oak Bush-cricket have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Stone Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stone-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Ladd Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ladd-arboretum) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Port Jefferson Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/port-jefferson-village-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Oak Bush-cricket](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/oak-bush-cricket) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Oak Bush-cricket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oak-bush-cricket)