Saddle-backed bush cricket

The saddle-backed bush cricket (lat. Ephippiger perforatus) belongs to the family Tettigoniidae (bush crickets). It is a robust insect characterized by a distinct saddle-shaped pronotum and reduced wings, which render it flightless. Its large size and peculiar morphology make it a distinctive, though often hidden, resident of various grasslands and agro-ecosystems.

This pest is highly polyphagous, meaning it feeds on a wide range of plant species. Agricultural impact is most significant on vegetable crops, vineyards, fruit orchards, and sometimes field crops. Because they consume foliage, buds, and fruit tissue, these insects can pose a notable threat to harvest quality, especially when population levels spike in mid-to-late summer.

The biological development of this species follows hemimetabolous metamorphosis. The species overwinters in the egg stage, with eggs buried in the soil or decaying organic matter. Nymphs emerge in spring and undergo several molting stages, growing gradually while feeding on available vegetation. The adult stage, reached in the summer, is the period of peak feeding activity and mating behavior.

Damage caused by the bush cricket includes ragged feeding holes on leaves, destruction of succulent stems, and superficial damage to developing fruits. By removing significant leaf area, the pest inhibits the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant. In extreme cases, repeated feeding can stunt plant growth, weaken the plant's resistance to pathogens, and reduce the overall marketable yield of affected crops.

Management strategies focus on habitat disruption and population monitoring.

• Deep autumn plowing: Effective at exposing eggs to predators and frost.
• Weed management: Clearing field margins and irrigation ditches reduces nesting sites.
• Chemical control: Targeted application of authorized insecticides should only be used as a last resort during outbreaks to avoid harming beneficial insects.