it has yet to be found are the southern end of the Dengie peninsular and Foulness (10km
square TR09), and an area close to Stratford in East London (10km square TQ38).
These are the only 10km squares of the 57 in the County, where this insect has yet to be
found.
Although inhabiting many rural Essex byways, P. griseoaptera is very often found in
close proximity to development. In many quite densely populated areas such as
Colchester, it can be heard stridulating at dusk on bramble in particular, beside industrial
development, housing estates and vegetation along well used railway paths. Even in rural
settings, it is more often located in good numbers on rough herbage surrounding farm
buildings, than further away in the fields and hedgerows.
Although widespread, there are many areas where further recording would enhance our
knowledge of the distribution pattern for this bush cricket throughout Essex.
Pholidoptera griseoaptera
Metrioptera roeselii: Roesel's bush cricket
A medium-sized insect, this attractive species has long been known in the County, as
historical records show and was, until recently, uncommon in Britain. It has, in recent
years, extended its range quite dramatically. In Essex, it has long been associated with
tall, dry, established grassland and is probably most common along the banks and sea
walls surrounding our coastline where, in some areas, it is abundant. Recently, it has
been found further inland wherever there is suitable habitat, although never in the
quantities found in coastal areas. On warm sunny days its continuous stridulation reveals
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