its presence where, if disturbed, it quickly drops down into the vegetation and is difficult
to relocate.
This survey and a similar one being conducted in neighbouring Hertfordshire, suggest it
is now colonising some motorway verges and quickly extending its distribution. It may
not, therefore, require established grassland, as older records in the County previously
suggested.
The distribution map shows the species is absent from the north west of Essex, despite
extensive searches. The mainly arable wilderness that has long been a feature of this
area has, in all probability, contributed to its absence and it will be interesting to see
whether the recently negotiated 'set-aside" scheme being promoted by MAFF, assists the
insect's spread into the area.
There is a long-winged form of JW. roeselii known as f.diluta which is occasionally
encountered and is easily overlooked, especially in areas where this insect is common.
One instance of a sighting of f.diluta near Little Stambridge Hall in south Essex was
reported by Roger Payne of Southend Museum. He tells of a member of the South Essex
Natural History Society encountering a strange looking insect flying towards him at head
height and, mistaking it for a damsel-fly, followed it to where it alighted, where he was
surprised to find it was Metrioptera roeselii f.diluta.
The fact that this bush cricket is one of two orthopteroides increasing its range
throughout the southern counties of Britain (the other is Conocephalus discolor),
suggests that M. roeselii is well worth searching for virtually anywhere in the County.
This might also reveal further populations of f.diluta and if their relative density is noted,
could provide some interesting data on the spread of the long-winged form of this insect.
Metrioptera roeselii