Grey Bush Cricket (Platycleis albopunctata)

Don't let the photgraph fool you. This is no giant, but a nymph no more than a few millimetres in length, I spotted only because I was trying to track another insect at the time.

I actually had no idea the beach coastline I was visiting was one of the relatively few one could fine this nationally scarce species, so I really was very lucky indeed.

What a wonderful example of natural engineering!

Watch and read more about it here:

comments (9)

Christine Young

Lion

Wow, fantastic spotting! It's so tiny!! Posted one month ago
1. Philip Booker
  
  Lion
  
  That's the body length not including the length of the antennae. And it would be longer with the hind legs stretched out.
  
  The furrow bee behind it at the start of the video is around 5-7mm and was bigger than the cricket, to give some scale. Posted one month ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I love your videos and always notice how well you track the insects and how steady the video is. Do you use a tripod? Or, maybe your camera is just really good for video? Whenever I take video, it is so shaky that even someone with a strong stomach would get queasy watching it. Posted one month ago
  2. 1. Philip Booker
      
      Lion
      
      It's all hand held, although I sometimes use a mini tripod in the hand too. That way, you can either lean it against your body or use it for extra reach.
      
      The Sony RX10 Mk4 has pretty good image stablisation compared to my old Panasonic in Full HD, but none in 4k, so there's always a compromise to to be made, but a comfortable stance and a focus on low breathing and/or holding your breath while taking the shot will always help;
      
      I occasionally have to use post filming video stablisation if it's been windy etc, or if the video is filmed in full zoom, but that crops the video which you don't always want.
      
      It's also time consuming.
      
      Posted one month ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Wow, impressive. I often hold my breath when taking photos...I will have to try it for video as well! Posted one month ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Please don't. We need you around much longer. Posted one month ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Haha ;P Posted one month ago
        
        Philip Booker
        
        Lion
        
        I try to limit my videos to a maximum of 90s.
        
        I wouldn't attempt to hold my breath for a full documentary. Posted one month ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Hehe, good call. Posted one month ago

The Grey Bush-Cricket

"Platycleis albopunctata" is a species of European bush cricket in the tribe Platycleidini. This species occurs throughout Europe and in North Africa; several subspecies have been described. The nominate subspecies occurs in the British Isles where it is often called the grey bush cricket.

Info 1 1

Similar species: Grasshoppers And Crickets

Species identified by Philip Booker