Roesel's bush-cricket

Roesel's bush-cricket (Metrioptera roeselii) is a member of the order Orthoptera and the family Tettigoniidae. While often considered a typical grassland species, in agricultural landscapes, it can behave as an occasional pest, reaching high population densities that impact crop development and yield potential in various regions of Europe and beyond.

This species primarily targets cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and rye, as well as pasture grasses and fodder crops. When natural vegetation becomes scarce, these crickets shift their feeding habits towards cultivated crops, causing damage to foliage and, in later stages, to reproductive structures like grain heads and developing seeds.

The life cycle begins with eggs overwintering in the soil. Upon hatching in the spring, the nymphs undergo several molts through their development stages (instars) over the summer. Both nymphs and adults are polyphagous, consuming significant amounts of plant biomass, which allows the population to grow rapidly under favorable climatic conditions.

The damage caused by Metrioptera roeselii is characterized by irregular feeding marks on the leaf margins and holes within the leaves. High populations can lead to significant defoliation, particularly in drought-stressed crops, reducing the plant's ability to perform photosynthesis and ultimately leading to decreased grain filling and lower overall harvest quantity.

Management strategies focus on integrated pest management (IPM). Cultural practices such as maintaining field margins free of dense weeds and timely tillage help destroy overwintering egg sites. Chemical control with registered insecticides is generally reserved for situations where the pest population exceeds established economic thresholds, ensuring minimal impact on beneficial insect populations.