8
Essex, but fairly sparse. The whole of the Tendring
area is obviously under-recorded, whilst central and
north-west Essex could do with some systematic recording.
Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thalassinum)
This species is almost absent from the north west of
Essex and is obviously under-recorded there. A beating-
tray is the best method of locating the insect, although
it does have a habit of coming to light in the evenings
from August on. Although it is reputed to inhabit
other trees, I have always found the Common Oak (Quercus
robur) to prove reliable when beating for this insect.
Records from anywhere in Essex for this species are
welcome.
Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii)
This insect sings all day in sunshine, usually in long
and established grassland. The coastal areas provide
this habitat in abundance, and it is probably found
most commonly close to the coast: although its distri-
bution drifts well inland. If you were to draw a
diagonal line across the county from roughly Halstead
to Epping, records north of that line would not exist.
Although nationally, Essex is a stronghold for Roesel's,
it is increasing its range and I would expect to find
it in other parts of our county from now on.
Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)
An extremely common insect, preferring scrubby vege-
tation, particularly bramble. Much more nocturnal
than other species (apart from Oak Bush), and can
readily be heard chirping from late afternoon onwards.
This species should be recorded in just about every
area in our county, but records for the western part
of Essex are more sparse than elsewhere. Again