Green bush-cricket

The green bush-cricket (lat. Caedicia strenua) belongs to the Tettigoniidae family, within the order Orthoptera. This insect possesses a distinct camouflaging coloration, ranging from bright green to light green, making it nearly invisible against the foliage.

Adult specimens have an elongated body with well-developed hind jumping legs. The wings lie flat against the body, resembling the texture and venation of a plant leaf. The adult body length typically ranges from 30 to 45 millimeters.

The head features a powerful chewing mouthpart adapted for grinding tough plant tissues. The thread-like antennae are significantly longer than the body, allowing the insect to navigate its environment effectively.

The insect undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Nymphs resemble miniature versions of the adults but lack developed wings. They pass through several instar stages, gradually increasing in size and acquiring adult characteristics.

Sexual maturity is reached after the final molt. Females possess a distinct saber-shaped ovipositor, used for laying eggs within plant tissues or soil, which protects the offspring from unfavorable environmental conditions.

This species is a polyphagous pest, meaning it feeds on a wide range of vegetation. In agroecosystems, it poses a significant threat to ornamental shrubs, fruit trees, and various vegetable crops.

The pest most commonly damages young shoots, buds, and leaves. Under high population density, these insects can completely consume the leaf blade, leaving only the coarse veins behind, which leads to a sharp decline in the plant's photosynthetic activity.

In addition to direct destruction of the leaf apparatus, damage to the buds results in the deformation of future flowers and fruits. This significantly reduces the market value of the harvest and weakens the overall condition of infested trees.

The greatest damage is observed in nurseries and young orchards, where plants lack the nutrient reserves to recover from severe defoliation. Persistent attacks can lead to the death of seedlings within a single growing season.

The activity of these crickets also increases the risk of secondary infections by phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria through wounds caused by the insect's mouthparts during intense feeding.

The main sign of the pest's presence is characteristic irregular feeding damage along the leaf edges. Unlike caterpillars, these crickets often chew complex-shaped holes in the middle of the leaf or consume the entire leaf margin.

The presence of excrement in the form of small, dark granules on the leaf surface below the feeding zone also indicates active pest presence. Spotting the insect during the day is difficult due to its elusive behavior.

In the evening and at night, one can hear the specific chirping of the males, which is the first sign of pest colonization. High sound intensity directly correlates with the population density per unit area.

Damaged tissues often develop necrosis around the edges of the cuts. In cases of severe infestation, premature leaf drop and the drying of terminal buds are observed, leaving the plant visibly stunted and weakened.

Mechanical damage to young fruit, caused by the chewing mouthparts, subsequently develops into deep scars and deformities, rendering the produce unsuitable for storage or sale.

To control Caedicia strenua populations, both agrotechnical and chemical methods are applied. Regular monitoring of the pest population using light traps at night is essential.

Agrotechnical measures include timely removal of weeds, which serve as a breeding reservoir for the pest, as well as hoeing the soil around the base of trees to destroy eggs laid in the ground.

• Application of systemic insecticides when the economic threshold is exceeded.
• Encouraging natural enemies such as insectivorous birds and predatory insects.
• Manual collection of individuals in the evening for low-density populations.

Chemical control is most effective during the early nymph stages when they are most vulnerable. It is recommended to use insecticides approved for industrial horticulture, strictly adhering to pre-harvest intervals.

Biological control methods using entomopathogenic fungi or nematodes show promising results in greenhouse conditions and private gardens, ensuring population suppression without accumulating toxic residues in the harvest.