Grasshopper nymph for ID. I'm confused again!

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 07:06 PM

I've searched around but can't find anything to match this creature. It was on the edge of dense woodland, S. Devon, and the hint of diagonal dark banding on the rear legs is making me lean towards a Woodland Grasshopper nymph.

But I could be totally looking up the wrong gum tree. Any suggestions from the experts?

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 07:15 PM

I think you may well be right! Did you see if it had white palps; a good feature for this species? Can't really see this from photos.

asheleaf · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 08:05 PM

i'd be more inclined to go with Field. You would find them in the same habitat.

Ashe

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 08:15 PM

The white keels on the protonum are wrong for the woodland grasshopper, they should be straight they are curved. So with respect to the habitat Field grasshopper would be a better bet as Ashe says also a woodland species.

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 09:09 PM

Thanks for that. It was alongside a path close to the woodland edge which borders onto farmland, so Field is quite likely.

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The white keels on the protonum are wrong for the woodland grasshopper, they should be straight they are curved. So with respect to the habitat Field grasshopper would be a better bet as Ashe says also a woodland species.

The pronotal keels are NOT straight in Woodland Grasshopper, but incurved!

If in doubt check the excellent photosin the Photographic guide to Grasshoppers, etc.

Gill Catton · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 12:37 PM

I think definative ID from this photo is going to be very difficult, a shot showing the underside would be helpful if you have one?

The palps (from the bit I can see) match images of woodland, green and field.... and field also seems to have diagonal striped legs in some cases too....

Geoff F · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008, 07:44 PM

I will check to see if I kept any other images but I think these were the best. It was rather shaddy and I had to use flash to get anything.

My first thought was Field but the leg markings made me question that idea.

Gill Catton · #9 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

I will check to see if I kept any other images but I think these were the best. It was rather shaddy and I had to use flash to get anything.

My first thought was Field but the leg markings made me question that idea.

Rather frustratingly field grasshoppers seem to come in about 5 billion different colour morphs.......

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

The pronotal keels are NOT straight in Woodland Grasshopper, but incurved!

If in doubt check the excellent photosin the Photographic guide to Grasshoppers, etc.

Yes slightly what i was getting at was that they are not like the specimen in the photo. Compared to this they are relatively straight (well according to my key anyway)