Saddle-backed bush cricket

The saddle-backed bush cricket (Ephippiger diurnus) is an insect belonging to the order Orthoptera and the family Tettigoniidae. It is characterized by a robust body, a distinctive saddle-shaped pronotum, and reduced wings, especially in females. This species is primarily diurnal, often detected in fields and orchards by its unique, rhythmic stridulation during sunny weather.

As a polyphagous pest, it poses a threat to a variety of agricultural crops. It is particularly noted for causing damage to vineyards, fruit trees, and various vegetable crops. Both nymphs and adults consume leaves, buds, and young fruits, leading to defoliation and reduction in plant vigor, which ultimately decreases agricultural yields.

The biological cycle involves incomplete metamorphosis. Females deposit eggs into the soil or plant stems, which serve as overwintering sites. Nymphs emerge in the spring and undergo several molting stages, gradually developing into adults. The synchronization of the life cycle with the crop development stage often exacerbates the severity of the damage.

The damage caused by these crickets is visible through irregular biting marks on foliage, often resulting in significant defoliation of shoots. In outbreak years, the economic impact can be substantial, as the insects rapidly move through a crop, causing physical stress to the plants and potentially opening entry points for secondary pathogens and fungal infections.

Integrated pest management strategies are essential for controlling the population of this insect. Key measures include:

• Mechanical cultivation of soil to destroy egg batches.
• Weed management on field margins to reduce favorable habitats for the insects.
• Targeted application of insecticides when population levels exceed the economic threshold.
• Preservation of natural bird populations that act as biological predators of Orthoptera.