Short-winged bush-cricket Coloring Pages

A Little Musician Living in Bamboo Grass!

The Short-winged bush-cricket is an insect that makes a lovely "ji-ri-ji-ri-ji-ri..." singing sound from summer to autumn. You can hear them in grassy places and bamboo bushes. They are small for a katydid and look super cute!

Name Origin: They Love Bamboo Grass!

The Japanese name comes from "a katydid" that lives in "bamboo grass." Just like the name says, the Short-winged bush-cricket often hides in places with lots of tall grass.

When Can You See Them?

Short-winged bush-crickets are active from around August to November.

• You can hear them singing during cool times of the day, from late summer through late autumn.

• They spend the winter as eggs. Babies hatch in spring and grow into adults in summer.

Where Can You Find Them?

In Japan, you can spot them in many areas across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

• Look in places with bamboo grass or tall grass. Try sunny fields, park bushes, or forest edges.

• They are small and green, so they are hard to find when hiding in the grass! They are great at hiding like a ninja.

What Do They Eat?

Short-winged bush-crickets are omnivores. This means they eat plants and small bugs.

• They love eating the leaves, flowers, and seeds of grass plants.

• Sometimes they catch and eat smaller bugs like aphids. They are strong little insects!

Antennae Longer Than Their Body?

The coolest thing about the Short-winged bush-cricket is its super long antennae!

• Their body is about 2 to 2.5 centimeters long, but their antennae are many times longer.

• They move these long antennae like real radio antennas to feel what is around them.

The Secret of Their Song

The "ji-ri-ji-ri-ji-ri..." sound comes from the male rubbing his wings together.

• He sings hard to protect his home and to call for females.

• They sing during the day too, but you can hear them best from evening to night.

Body Color and Cool Legs

Most Short-winged bush-crickets have a bright yellow-green body.

• Sometimes their backs can look blackish or brownish.

• Their back legs are long and strong. If an enemy finds them, they jump high and leap away!

How to Choose Colors: Bright Green and Black Accents

When you color the Short-winged bush-cricket, try picking colors that make it look like it is in the forest or grass!

• Main Color: Color the whole body with "bright yellow-green" to give it lots of energy.

• Back Color: Try coloring the spot where the wings overlap on its back with "dark brown" or "black". It makes a cool match with the yellow-green and looks just like a real one!

• Eyes: The eyes are small and round. If you color them neatly with "black" or "dark red", it will look super sharp.

Make the Super Long Antennae Look Cool!

The long antennae reaching straight out are the most exciting part of this coloring page.

• Draw Fine Lines: Sharpen your colored pencil well. Then try drawing one smooth, straight line without stopping.

• Change Colors: Make the bottom a bit thicker, and make the tips thinner and lighter. This makes them look like they stretch out really far.

Look Closely at the Leg Joints and Spikes

The Short-winged bush-cricket has tiny spikes and joints on its legs.

• Show Off the Spikes: Use a dark color to tap little dots on the tiny jagged parts on the legs. It will make them look strong and cool like a real bug!

• Jumping Power: Use a slightly darker color on the thick part of the big back legs. This makes them look super strong and muscular!

Color the Wing Patterns Carefully

The wings have fine lines that look like a little net.

• Make Them Stand Out: Color along the wing lines with light gray or brown. It shows off the neat wing feel really well.

• A Shiny Look: Mix in a little bit of yellow colored pencil. It will look like light is hitting the wings and making them sparkle!

Try Drawing Bamboo Grass Leaves in the Background

• Make a Hiding Spot: Draw some long bamboo grass leaves around it. If you make it look like the Short-winged bush-cricket is peeking out, your picture will tell a fun story.

• Autumn Feeling: Add a little light orange or yellow to the background. It can feel like a quiet autumn evening when bugs sing.

A Friend of the Little Katydid

The Short-winged bush-cricket is an insect that looks like a tiny katydid, often found in grassy areas. They mostly live near the edges of forests in places with "grass-family plants" like bamboo grass.

A Cool Green and Black Pattern

Their bodies are a pretty green color, but their special feature is the "black stripe pattern" that runs from the side of their eyes to the side of their wings. If you look closely, the joints on their back legs—just like human knees—are black, too!

The Babies Have Very Flashy Colors!

Adults are green and black, but when they are young (nymphs), they have a "red (or orange) head and a black body." These colors really stand out! It is an amazing insect because its colors change completely into calm shades when it grows up.

Singing Happily During the Day

Many insects that sing in autumn are active at night, but the Short-winged bush-cricket is happily active in the grass even during the "bright daytime." They sing with soft voices like "jigi-jigi-jigi" or "siri-siri-siri" from between the blades of grass, so listen carefully and try to find one!