Leptophyes laticauda

Leptophyes laticauda is a species of bush-crickets belonging to the family Tettigoniidae.

Distribution and habitat
This species occurs from Provence across the Southern Alps to the Balkans and it is present in France, Italy, Switzerland and Croatia. These bush-crickets can be found on shaded and damp forest edges.

Description
Leptophyes laticauda can reach a length of 16 - 20 mm in males, of 16 - 22 mm in females, with an ovipositor of 10 - 13 mm. It is the largest species of the genus Leptophyes. The basic body color of this species is light green punctuated by numerous small black spots, with a wide reddish brown longitudinal stripe along the back. Antennae, lower legs, feet, wings and cerci are yellow to reddish-brown. The wings are greatly shortened. In males cerci are stout and angularly bent, with a blunt tip.

Biology
Leptophyes laticauda mainly feed on leaves of many deciduous woods, on blackberry and on nettle. Adults appear from July to October.