Mating grasshoppers

[Africa]

laying flat on the dunes I could watch the fascinating behaviour of this group of grasshoppers: the males had a chirping competition and they actually took turns so they sounded like a hopper duet. The female was eating some grass while mating, and with her jumping legs she kicked the other approaching males. This was on the dunes of Spurn Head on 30/08/08.



Am I right it is Chorthippus brunneus? I want to check before uploading the photo to the library.

[aeshna5]

Yes they are Field Grasshoppers, C. brunneus. Many grasshoppers have a special courtship song that is a modification of the normal call. Females can respond, but they are much softer as the stridulatory function isn't as well developed.

[Hedge Witch]

Great shot, Africa. It all sounds like it was fascinating to watch

[Africa]

Thank you aeschna5 and Hedge Witch, yes, it was truly fascinating, previously, I only had seen grasshoppers jumping!