Bicolour Meadow Bush-cricket Bicolorana bicolor

Here's a cricket that refuses to choose: individuals come in two completely different wing forms. Most are brachypterous, with short, stubby wings perfect for creeping through meadow grass, but some individuals develop full-length wings and can fly. This dramatic variation, called wing polymorphism, lets populations adapt to different conditions — flightless forms thrive in stable habitats, while winged forms colonize new areas. It's like having two completely different insect designs available within a single species. This flexible strategy may explain why this bush cricket remains common across Western Europe.