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.

Description

This is probably the most frequently seen grasshopper; it is fairly large and occurs in a very wide range of colours including green, brown and purple, usually with a variable amount of black, brown or grey mottling (3). The tough forewings, which protect the delicate membranous hind wings, are long, and in common with all Chorthippus species, have a bulge near their base. Most individuals have an orange tinge at the tip of the abdomen (3). This species can be identified by the low number of 'stridulatory' pegs on the legs used to produce the very characteristic song (4).

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