Insect / Orthoptera / Bush cricket

The wart-biter, Decticus verrucivorus, found on Kingston Downs, Lewes, East Sussex, by A.F. Brazenor (collection date unknown).

Decticus verrucivorus is known as the wart-biter, the name based on the 18th century practice in Sweden of allowing them to chew on warts in an attempt to remove them. Unfortunately, there is no recorded evidence of their contribution to podiatry, but this bush cricket normally feeds on plant material (such as nettles) and insects, including other grasshoppers!

Despite having wings, it is reported that they appear reluctant to fly, only doing so for very short distances when disturbed. 

The focus-stacked image shows a female wart-biter with a long, curved ovipositor at the end of its body which is used to insert eggs into the soil. 

Being found in only a few localities in Southern England, the wart-biter is now classified as endangered.

Image of the Wart-biter Bi1973.215.603