Field Grasshoppers - a couple of questions

[AshLee]

Hi all,

I think the following is probably a Field Grasshopper (sorry, I only managed one shot - no view of its underside). Wings longer that its abdomen, costal bulge, general appearance. The keels do not look as sharply angled as the pictures in my book, so can anyone confirm my ID?



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Whilst researching, I came across a YouTube clip of a grasshopper singing:
YouTube - Field Grasshopper song

Is that definitely a Field Grasshopper, and the sort of song that I should listen out for?

I tried and tried to find audio clips on the web to compare. Does anyone know of a reliable site? The clips on a site run by the British Library would not reliably play for me, and were very limited.

Thanks, as always.

[AshLee]

Re. the shot posted above:

Based on distribution maps I've ruled out all but Stripe-winged, Woodland, Common Green, Field, Meadow, Lesser Marsh, Mottled.

Does anyone agree/disagree with the rest:

It doesn't look at all like Mottled and the keels are wrong for Lesser Marsh and Meadow.

I've looked at the pattern of the veins on a different exposure and ruled out Stripe-winged.

I'm left with Woodland, Field and Common Green.

I don't have any picture of Woodland with these colours.
The habitat was not right for Field (being shadier with long damp grass).

So even though there does seem to be a costal bulge, I'm edging towards Common Green at the moment. I think the costal bulge is an illusion. I don't know why my book says they should have shorter wings. One thing I have noticed is that this same book shows them with longer wings, like my picture shows. And finally, my best recollection of what might have been its song is nothing like the YouTube clip of the Field Grasshopper.

Definitely.....maybe.

Unless someone knows different, LOL.

[asheleaf]

its Field -

"Pronotal side keels sharply angled and wedge marks do not extend to hind margin; hind part of the pronotum is longer than the fore part. Wings extend beyond the hind knees, and forewings have a bulge on the costal margin. Both sexes have a distinctly hairy ventral thorax" from Marshall & Haes

hope that helps

Ashe

[asheleaf]

PS - unless there are new ones I'm not aware of distribution maps are out of date. The orthoptera have extended there ranges tremendously in recent years.

Ashe

[AshLee]

Hi Ashe,

It helps to know someone's second opinion, yes, so thanks.

My distribution maps are from 2007, and I was allowing for a bit of spread. So I thinks that bit's OK.

So it might be Field. But in my mind, and in future, I need a song (which I think is pretty distinctive and unambiguous for either species) and shots from other angles.

I'll get better at this.

Thanks,

Ash

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by AshLee

Hi Ashe,

So it might be Field. But in my mind, and in future, I need a song (which I think is pretty distinctive and unambiguous for either species) and shots from other angles.

What alternatives did you have in mind? Green and Woodland might be similar but neither have a bulge on the costal margin and you seem to have ruled out everything else?

Ashe

[AshLee]

I'm wondering whether that is a costal bulge now.

A shot of the underside should have clinched it, but it jumped before I got my act together.

I'm considering Common, ruling out Woodland because of its colours.

It's not been a total loss. I'm learning lots because of this. Not least what to look for in future.

I guess I'm hoping for Common, because it isn't so common. But trying to remain objective.

[Geoff F]

When I first looked at this photo I did think Common with Stripe-winged as an alternative; but after consulting my book, I decided that I was sufficiently confused to chicken out of being the first to answer.

The keels certainly appear to be a bit 'timid' for a Field; but camera angles can be deceptive.

So without other confirmation points being visible I would be inclined to label this one as unconfirmed.

ps. Are you aware of this site http://www.orthoptera.org.uk/default.aspx

[AshLee]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

When I first looked at this photo I did think Common with Stripe-winged as an alternative; but after consulting my book, I decided that I was sufficiently confused to chicken out of being the first to answer.

The keels certainly appear to be a bit 'timid' for a Field; but camera angles can be deceptive.

So without other confirmation points being visible I would be inclined to label this one as unconfirmed.

ps. Are you aware of this site Orthoptera Recording Scheme - Home

Hi Geoff, Unconfirmed it is. You win some, you lose some...

That site looks excellent. There is something wrong with my settings, but with a little tinkering, should get the sounds to play.

Thanks very much,

Ash