Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus

Identification

Body length; males 15mm to 20mm, females 20mm to 25mm.

The range of colours and patterning in this species is very variable. Typically, the grasshopper is some shade of grey or brown. The sides of the abdomen are usually barred vertically with alternating pale and dark bands. There is often a paler stripe running down the back of the head and the thorax. Typically there are darker bars across the hind femur (upper leg) which has a pale herringbone pattern down its middle. At maturity the tip of the male abdomen becomes orange-red whilst that of the female becomes a more subdued yellow or orange. Specimens that are almost entirely white, orange, yellow, purple and green do occur from time to time. At maturity, the wings extend to the tip of the abdomen in males and exceed the tip of the abdomen in females.

Behaviour and life history

The Field Grasshopper is a very active, sun-loving species found wherever the conditions are suitable. It is a gregarious species and the adult males can frequently be observed courting females by vibrating their wings rapidly. In good years, this species can produce mini swarms that can travel a few hundred yards. Eggs are laid in pods into the soil during late summer and hatch the following May. Mature adults appear during late June to July.

Song

A monotonous, short tsspt repeated every 2 seconds or so. This call is often taken up by other males which join in the chorus.

Where to look for it

The Field Grasshopper likes open, short grasslands which are both dry and sunny. It is often found with the Meadow Grasshopper. They are found on virtually every bit of dry grassland in Plymouth except where it is very overgrown, shady, damp or over-mown. It is common in gardens.

Distribution and status in Plymouth

Very common and widespread.

When to look for it

Nymphs from May to July, adults from July to late November.

Similar species

The keels on the side of the thorax in this species are sharply incurved and angular as opposed to being only gently incurved in the Meadow Grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus. The Mottled Grasshopper, Myrmeleotettix maculatus, is considerably smaller and the males having swollen tips to the antennae.

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