Cantans bush-cricket (Tettigonia cantans)

The Cantans bush-cricket (Tettigonia cantans) is a powerful insect from the bush-cricket family, which hikers often see or at least hear on high-alpine meadows, clearings, and in bushes. It differs from its relative, the great green bush-cricket, mainly by its wings, which are shorter and wider and barely extend beyond the rear part of the abdomen. Its light green color with a brownish tinge on the upper side of the thorax allows it to almost completely hide in mountain vegetation from the eyes of predators.
The photograph shows a female, confirmed by the long and straight ovipositor at the end of the body, which she uses to lay eggs in the soil. Males are known for their tireless and extremely loud chirping, which hikers hear mainly on warm summer afternoons and evenings. Although it may seem like a peaceful herbivore, the Cantans bush-cricket is actually a skilled predatory insect that feeds on smaller insects and caterpillars.
Hikers can encounter this interesting animal up to the high mountains, where it enriches the soundscape of our mountains with its presence. Despite its impressive size, it is completely harmless to us hikers, as it calms down or jumps into the safe shelter of dense grass when we approach. Its activity is a key part of the natural balance on mountain pastures, which hikers so like to explore.