Speckled Bush Cricket

It's just the time of year when you can see these crickets. And it was pure luck I spotted it. I was on the lookout for butterflies as it was a fairly warm and sunny late afternoon. But my attention was taken with something bright green on a faded flower head. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough. It was quite happy just to sit and wait for a portrait.

This is a male, as the females have a very fierce looking ovipositor. They've grown into adults by August. Their eggs will be laid now in tree bark and plant stems and remain their until May/June next year when the nymphs emerge.