Field Grasshopper or..

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

Taken on 6th August 2009, it was at the top of my south facing window. It should be a Common Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus, but matches exactly the sample as shown on David Elements gateway of a male BOW-WINGED GRASSHOPPER Chorthippus biguttulus BROWN FORM which was taken in France. The wing near the rear is bowed, not a continuous curve.

David Element's Wildlife Web Page Orthopteroids 10 - Bow-winged Grasshoppers 1

This of course is near Lincoln UK. All markings are identical to David Element's grasshopper as far as I can see.



Janet

[tristanba]

looks like Field Grasshopper to me

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Janet,

Field Grasshopper for me too. The Bow-winged isn't a UK species.

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by tristanba

looks like Field Grasshopper to me

Thanks Tristan. It did to me too until I saw the pic on David Element's site. Why then does the wing look to have the same 'bow' as shown in the pic there? Or am I seeing it wrong? He has said at the bottom:

This insect may only be distinguished from the morphologically very similar Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus by close examination of the forewing structure and these are hopefully genuine examples of this species.

Also:

If the climate continues to warm up in the UK this species is a likely candidate for future addition to the British fauna.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Afternoon Janet,

Field Grasshopper for me too. The Bow-winged isn't a UK species.

Take care,

Jason

Yes I do know it isn't a UK species as such Jason, but things do change.

[Jason Green]

Yes - the Southern Oak Bush-cricket is one such example. With these natural introductions though, they usually appear further South first. The times I myself used to look at insects, wondering that!

EDIT:

Compare it to this...

Here with a broadside, the wing veins curve gently upwards - which gives the illusion of the wing pointing slightly upwards too.

[Dogghound]

Definately a Field grasshopper.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Yes - the Southern Oak Bush-cricket is one such example. With these natural introductions though, they usually appear further South first. The times I myself used to look at insects, wondering that!

EDIT:

Compare it to this...

Here with a broadside, the wing veins curve gently upwards - which gives the illusion of the wing pointing slightly upwards too.

Thanks for the confirmation Dogg.

Jason, now you have posted that pic I will show you the part I meant. The pic you linked to does not have this bowed section. Now if you will, please check out the cropped part of the pic I was referring to on David Element's site.

Oh and yes, definitely not in Lincolnshire LOL!

[Dogghound]

That looks like the hind wing and forewing overlapping.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

That looks like the hind wing and forewing overlapping.

Yes I agree Dgg, but isn't that what gives the bowed shape? It is supposed to be the forewing giving this shape? I think that is what I have read somewhere anyway!