Common Ground-hopper, Tetrix undulata

Identification

Body length, approximately 10mm.

It is very variable with a mottled colour-patterning giving the ground-hopper an overall appearance of being light grey, sandy, dirty greenish or various shades of brown to almost reddish or black. The thorax of this species is strongly keeled and extends backward over, but not beyond, the entire abdomen. It cannot fly.

Behaviour and life history

It is an active species which is often overlooked on account of its size. Populations can be quite large and concentrated in a relatively small area. On two occasions this species has been found sharing the same site with the Slender Ground-hopper, Tetrix subulata. They feed on grasses, mosses and lichens. Ground-hoppers differ from all other British grasshoppers in that they overwinter as either nymphs or adults. Egg laying takes place throughout the spring and summer. Those eggs laid early in the year produce nymphs which mature in late summer and overwinter as adults; eggs laid late in the season produce nymphs which overwinter before maturing the following year. All adults die off in mid summer.

Song

This species has no song.

Where to look for it

Any unshaded area with bare earth or sparse vegetation, particularly in woodland glades and rides; not uncommonly found in gardens.

Distribution and status

Common and widespread in suitable habitats.

When to look for it

Any time but particularly during early summer, late summer and early autumn.

Similar species

This species can only really be confused with the Slender Ground-hopper, Tetrix subulata, which differs in its thorax extending well beyond the tip of its abdomen. It should be noted, however, that there is a very rare form that does have its thorax extending well beyond the tip of the abdomen but there are no records of it from Plymouth.

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