Conocephalus discolor: Long-winged conehead
This insect was extremely rare in Britain until the early 1970's with a few colonies
occurring along the extreme southern coastal strip of England between Dorset and Kent.
Since then and in particular from the mid 1980's, a remarkable expansion of its range
has occurred, most probably due to a series of warm summers. In 1994 the species
reached neighbouring Hertfordshire and by the end of that summer, had reached to
within a mile of the Essex border in the Lea Valley at Rye Meads. It came as no surprise
therefore that this insect was recorded for the first time in the County on 11th August
1995 by John Widgery, organiser of the Hertfordshire Orthoptera Recording Scheme and
recently appointed National Recorder for Orthoptera. It was found with the aid of a bat
detector (adjusted to the Orthoptera frequencies), at three localities. A single male was
discovered within an established colony of Conocephalus dorsalis at Fishers Green, whilst
a male and female were found at Cornmill Meadows and a further single male was seen
above the valley along Claygate Lane, Holyfield.
Experience has shown that C. discolor is capable of colonising new areas very quickly
and since it has become well established in Hertfordshire in just two seasons and in view
of the very warm summer of 1995, it is highly probable that this species has already
penetrated well into Essex. C. discolor is not an easy insect to see as it shares a habit
common to many species of Orthoptera in moving around to the opposite side of a stem
when approached. Also, its stridulation is a very faint, high-pitched, hissing sound
produced in long bursts and at best barely audible unless very close, and to most people
completely inaudible. However, with the aid of a bat detector it can be located with ease
and is most likely to be found in long grasses possibly with Metrioptera roeselii which
inhabits similar places. There is a lot of scope for future recording of this insect within
Essex and I shall be very interested in any future locations.
Conocephalus discolor
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