Biology
The adults of this species are active mainly at night. The young nymphs are active during the day. © P Brock
Life cycle
Eggs are laid in batches of approximately 10, with 7 - 10 days between batches. Single eggs may be laid in the intervening period.
The nymphs hatch from the egg and are bright green in colour. The nymphs grow by moulting, and eventually acquire the darker colouration of the adult.
It takes about seven months for a newly hatched nymph to become adult.
The nymphs are diurnal (active during daylight) whereas the adults are nocturnal (active at night).
Mating events take up to 20 minutes, and may occur up to three times on a given night. There may be several days between mating events.
Eggs are laid in an excavation made in the soil.
Once laid, the mother uses the underside of her abdomen to cover the eggs with soil.