Which grasshopper is this one?

loripo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:16 PM

Is this a common field grasshopper? Do they stay this colour all year? I have seen v.small (1 cm) straw coloured ones in the same area (a wildflower meadow area in the local park, now cut back for the winter - I presume this one hopped off before it got carted away). Would the small ones be nymphs?

Jason Claxton · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:28 PM

looks like Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus

Jason Claxton · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:31 PM

Yes the small ones could be nymphs ,just in case have a look at Common Groundhopper.

loripo · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:56 PM

Thanks - I looked at the groundhoppers and I think what I#ve seen are the same shape as above just v, small.

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 07:02 PM

The keels on top of the thorax are very sharply angled which is typical for a Field Grasshopper. There should also be some hair underneath the body which is difficult to see from that angle. But it looks slightly hairy in the right places.

I have struggled to identify grasshopper nymphs this spring and summer and have finally had to admit that it is impossible to identify them from colour alone (at least for me); and a great deal of other ID aids like keel shape is also too variable in most cases.

So the answer to your second question is: no, nymphs can be quite variable in colour.

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 07:05 PM

Ah - this one today stayed put after having leapt past me, but the smaller ones are too small and fast for me to focus on easily

Will have to keep some sort of container with me just to get a better look - if I can catch one first.

Jason Claxton · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 07:14 PM

Good,I thought it would be best to check,Loripo,as Groundhopper sp. are very small also.The Field Grasshopper likes the shorter areas generally,so the grass being shorter in the meadow will not bother it.As for whether they go on all year ,the Grasshoppers and Crickets of Surrey by David W.Baldock has the latest as December 3rd 1975,I dont know if there have been any later records.Jason

loripo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 06:26 PM

I will keep an eye out there then, have igored it later in the year as I thought they would all be gone. While I'm here

can I ask about this one too...

This was taken on the local common but they are in the park too - is it the Common green?

Jason Claxton · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 06:36 PM

um,not Common green ,this one in the picture has parallel side keels to the pronotum,more likely a Meadow Grasshopper, the other option is Lesser Marsh Grasshopper,I'll have a good look at it.

Jason