Insects diurnal

Bog Bush-cricket

Metrioptera brachyptera

A hidden gem of the wetlands, the Bog Bush-cricket wears a striking coat of charcoal and lime. This master of the marsh is best discovered on warm summer afternoons, identified by its rhythmic ticking song and short, stocky silhouette.

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Quick Identification

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Size

12-16 mm (0.47-0.63 inches) in body length

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Colors

Charcoal-black to dark brown body with bright lime-green accents on the sides of the thorax and head; females possess a dark, curved ovipositor

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Key Features

Vibrant green 'saddle' markings on the sides of the pronotum
Notably short wings (brachypterous) that do not reach the end of the abdomen
Females have a long, upward-curving, sword-like ovipositor
Dark, stocky build compared to other bush-crickets

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10 AM - 5 PM

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Season July-October

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Diet An opportunistic omnivore that consumes soft plant tissues, flower heads, and small insects such as aphids or small caterpillars.

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Habitat Damp, acidic environments including peat bogs, wet heaths, damp meadows, and marshy woodland clearings.

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Behavior

The Bog Bush-cricket is a sun-loving insect that spends the majority of its day basking on low-lying vegetation. Unlike some of its more acrobatic relatives, this species is somewhat sedentary and prefers to crawl through thick stems of heather or moor-grass rather than jumping. When they do leap, it is usually a short, frantic burst to escape a perceived threat.

During the warmth of the afternoon, males produce a distinctive song—a series of high-pitched, rapidly repeating 'ticking' sounds created by rubbing their wings together (stridulation). They are generally shy and will quickly duck to the underside of a leaf or stem if they feel the vibration of approaching footsteps. While they are social in the sense that many may inhabit the same damp patch of ground, they do not form cohesive groups.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Bog Bush-cricket on camera requires a focus on the 'micro' level. Because these insects stay low to the ground in dense vegetation, your camera must be positioned extremely low—ideally between 4 and 10 inches off the ground. Use a specialized macro lens or a high-resolution trail camera with a close-focusing distance. Placing the camera near a sun-exposed patch of purple moor-grass or heather is your best bet, as these are primary basking spots.

Since these crickets are dark-bodied, they can sometimes disappear against peat or dark soil in low-light conditions. To get the best AI-recognition and image clarity, set your camera to record during peak sunlight hours. Direct sun will highlight the metallic sheen of their green markings and provide the high shutter speed needed to freeze their movement. If your camera allows for it, set a narrow field of view to maximize the size of the insect in the frame.

To encourage a Bog Bush-cricket to stay within your camera's frame, you can experiment with a tiny 'bait' station consisting of a slice of overripe fruit or a cotton ball soaked in sugar water. Place this on a flat leaf directly in your focal zone. However, the most effective 'lure' is often natural; if you hear a male ticking in a specific clump of grass, he is likely to return to that exact spot day after day. Position your camera there and use a time-lapse setting (one photo every 20 seconds) to catch him during his afternoon singing sessions.

Lastly, pay attention to the wind. In boggy habitats, tall grasses sway significantly, which can cause false triggers on motion-sensor cameras. If possible, use a camera with 'zone masking' to ignore the tops of swaying grasses, or choose a day with low wind speeds for your recording session. High-definition video (1080p or 4K) is preferred over still photos to capture the subtle vibration of their wings during stridulation.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bog Bush-cricket.

Roesel's Bush-cricket

Roesel's has a characteristic yellow-green 'C' shape on the side of the thorax and typically longer wings.

Dark Bush-cricket

Much larger and more uniformly brown, lacking the bright green accents and preferring drier scrub habitats.

Short-winged Conehead

Has a much slimmer, more elongated body and a distinctively pointed head profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bog Bush-crickets are strictly diurnal and are most active during the warmest part of the day, typically between 10 AM and 5 PM. They rely on solar radiation to warm their bodies enough to move and sing.

To attract them, you need to mimic their natural boggy habitat. Creating a damp 'wild corner' with long native grasses, heather, and mosses can help. Avoid all pesticides and ensure the area receives plenty of direct sunlight for basking.

They have a varied diet that includes both plants and animals. They feed on the tender parts of grasses and heathland plants, but they also act as predators, eating smaller insects like aphids and small larvae.

They are generally localized to specific damp habitats. If your suburban garden is near a nature reserve, heath, or marshy field, you may see them, but they are rarely found in standard, dry manicured lawns.

The Bog Bush-cricket has much shorter wings and a darker, more charcoal-colored body. Roesel's Bush-cricket has a distinctive continuous yellow-green border on its thorax, whereas the Bog Bush-cricket's green markings are more concentrated on the sides and top.

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