Common field grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus)
Facts
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae |
| Genus | Chorthippus (1) |
| Size |
Length: 18 - 24 mm (2) |
| Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life, at Nature Navigator |  |
Status
Common (1).
Description
This is probably the most frequently seen grasshopper; it is fairly large and occurs in a very wide range of colours (3), 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 spcies, 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 charcteristic song (4).
Range
| You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway |  |
Habitat
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) (7). 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 (5).
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 egg is the overwintering stage (1); they 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 (5). 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).
Threats
This species is not threatened.
Conservation
Not relevant.
Further Information
For more on invertebrates see Buglife, the invertebrate conservation trust:
http://www.buglife.org.uk/
Authentication
Information authenticated by Professor Mike Ritchie of the University of St Andrews
http://biology.st-and.ac.uk/, with the support of the British Ecological Society
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/
Incomplete metamorphosis: type of insect development (also known as hemimetabolous development) in which the adult form is reached via a series of moults. The larva (nymph) resembles a miniature wingless adult; the wings develop externally as the nymph grows.
Larvae: stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Stridulation: production of sound by rubbing a file across a membrane. In insects, often a file on a wing rubs against the surface of the other wing, or the file is on a leg which is scraped on the wing.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (March 2003):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn - Sterry, P. (1997) Collins Complete British Wildlife Photoguide. Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., London.
- Mahon, A. (1988) Grasshoppers and bush-crickets. Shire Publications Ltd., Aylesbury.
- Ritchie, M. (2004) Pers. comm.
- Marshall, J.A. & Haes, E.C.M. (1988) Grasshoppers and allied Insects of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, Colchester.
- O'Toole, C. (2002) The new encyclopedia of insects and their allies. Oxford University press, Oxford.
- Ragge, D.R. & Reynolds, W. J. (1998) The songs of the grasshoppers and crickets of Western Europe. Harley Books, Colchester.
