Common field grasshopper  (Chorthippus brunneus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

This grasshopper is a strong flier, and is active in warm weather (3); on warm days it can frequently be seen sunning itself on walls, bare ground and paths (1). The song consists of chirps lasting half a second long. Males often chirp at each other in turn; these 'rivalry' songs are very characteristic of the species (4) (5). During courtship they produce a 'ticking' sound when paired with a female (3). These sounds are produced by 'stridulation', in which the hindlegs are scraped against veins on the forewing (6).

During summer, females lay a large egg pod containing up to 15 eggs in dry ground just below the surface, or sometimes in anthills. The eggs, which are the overwintering stage (1), hatch in May and adults appear in June. Grasshoppers undergo a type of development known as 'incomplete metamorphosis' in which the larvae, known as 'nymphs', resemble wingless adults, and progress through a series of moults before reaching maturity (6). Adult common field grasshoppers are better able to survive cold weather than many other species of grasshopper, and they can occasionally survive until December (3).

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