Suggestions for a Grasshopper (I think)

Amoeba · #1 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 08:49 AM

I was wondering if anybody could point out a few suggestions so that I can look them up and find out if it was the grasshopper I found (I think it was a grasshopper anyway).

I was about 3cm in length and had wings that didn't quite cover its abdomen. It was also coloured in such a way that it was sharp jagged patches of grey, dark grey and very light grey. Looks as if it would be well camouflaged on rock or grey lichens. I didn't hear any sound from it, it was just sort of fumbling through the grass on the canal-side. Oh yeah, I forgot its hind legs were very big and its body looked very rectangular except for the back end. Very surprising size for mid-September, we usually don't see anything much bigger than a small spider at this time of year.

Any suggestions? I don't expect an ID with such a vague description and no picture but maybe someone could point me in the right direction?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 12:41 PM

I am afraid grasshoppers are so variable in colour you carnt really use this as an ID. You would need to have a photo.

Where in the UK are you? Potentially Field grasshopper due to it being so common (Although quite long winged). Plus the habitat rules out alot of species. Meadow grasshopper is another possibility and common green, Lesser Marsh Grasshopper.

Amoeba · #3 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

I am afraid grasshoppers are so variable in colour you carnt really use this as an ID. You would need to have a photo.

I realise that and as I'm said I'm sure I won't get an ID here, but if I had a few ideas to go on and I found a photo I'm sure I'd recognise it or at least one of its close relatives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Where in the UK are you? Potentially Field grasshopper due to it being so common (Although quite long winged). Plus the habitat rules out alot of species. Meadow grasshopper is another possibility and common green, Lesser Marsh Grasshopper.

I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The individual I found had more patchy colouration than the Field Grasshopper, with greater definition between light grey, grey and dark grey patches (sometimes hints of brown though it was mild). As you said also, the wings look a bit long. This particular individual's abdomen stuck out from underneath its wings by about 3 segments. Does look a very close match though.

Meadow grasshopper looks too green, as well as common green and lesser marsh. I don't think this grasshopper had any green at all.

I appreciate the suggestions. Do you know anywhere I could find a list of grasshopper species to go through?

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 05:55 PM

As I said you can not use colour to Identify grasshoppers they are highly variable and the colour you describe can be found in Common green, Field, Meadow, Mottled (Habitat not right). These are the four species that are in your area of the country. I would start by having a good look through these, although you need to see small details in alot of cases. My bet is common green.

Amoeba · #5 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

As I said you can not use colour to Identify grasshoppers they are highly variable and the colour you describe can be found in Common green, Field, Meadow, Mottled (Habitat not right).

Ah, you didn't say they were variable within a species.

I'll bear that in mind next time.

JackintheGreen · #6 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 09:47 PM

Could it be a bush cricket rather than a grasshopper? I don't know what species occur in Scotland and the longing wings suggest possibly not but it's worth looking at them.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackintheGreen

Could it be a bush cricket rather than a grasshopper? I don't know what species occur in Scotland and the longing wings suggest possibly not but it's worth looking at them.

There aren't any bush-crickets in the Highlands.

Amoeba · #8 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 07:21 AM

Definitely not a bush cricket aside from the wings being noticeably shorter than the abdomen, the abdomen was also long and cylindrical like a grasshopper's.

Though I do live much closer to England than I do to the Highlands, I'm pretty sure now that it was a grasshopper. Most probably one of the ones suggested, but I might never know exactly which.