The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus) is similar in appearance to the Meadow Grasshopper, but it is straw brown or light green-coloured and less brightly coloured than the Meadow Grasshopper. The side keels of the pronotum are almost parallel. It has a rather pointed snout, robust antennae and a white border to the wings which varies in intensity. It has functional wings and flies readily in hot weather. Its length is 13-23 mm.
The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper can be found in damp grasland areas, particularly where it floods in winter, but also occurs in drier conditions, e.g. on roadside verges, waste ground, etc.
It is a mid-season species, with nymphs hatching in May. Adults appear from early to mid July and remain abundant through to October. It deeds mainly on grasses.
The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper is quite a common species, but most records come from south-eastern England and the Midlands.
Tags: Chorthippus albomarginatus Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Grasshopper Insect Rainham Marshes Boardwalk September Autumn 2014 Purfleet Essex Acrididae RSPB
© All Rights Reserved
A newly emerged Speckled Bush Cricket on some lavender - you can just make out its shed skin on the right hand side of the lavender flower!
The Speckled Bush-cricket prefers rough vegetation, scrub and hedgerows, and is also found in gardens. It can be seen perching on bushes, window ledges, flowers and leaves, particularly Bramble. Speckled Bush-crickets emerge as nymphs in May and moult into their adult form during later summer. Most active at dusk and during the night, males call to attract females by rubbing their wings together, but their 'song' (a high-pitched 'chirp') is barely audible to human ears. Females lay their eggs in late summer in the bark of a tree or a plant stem; here, they overwinter, ready to emerge next spring.
The Speckled Bush-cricket is green with a covering of tiny black speckles, and an orangey-brown stripe down the back. It has a humpbacked appearance and very short wings. The female has a distinctive scimitar-shaped ovipositor.
It is widespread in south and central England, and around the Welsh coast.
Tags: Speckled bush-cricket Leptophyes punctatissima Lavender Insect Garden South Woodham Ferrers Essex
© All Rights Reserved
The Speckled Bush Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima), as its suggested by its name, is covered in tiny, black speckles. It can be found in scrub, hedgerows and gardens throughout summer, mainly in Central and Southern England, and around the Welsh coast.
The Speckled Bush-cricket is green with a covering of tiny black speckles, and an orangey-brown stripe down its back. It has a humpbacked appearance and very short wings. The female has a distinctive scimitar-shaped ovipositor. It prefers rough vegetation, scrub and hedgerows, and is also found in gardens. It can be seen perching on bushes, window ledges, flowers and leaves, particularly Bramble. Speckled Bush-crickets emerge as nymphs in May and moult into their adult form during later summer. Most active at dusk and during the night, males call to attract females by rubbing their wings together, but their 'song' is barely audible to human ears. Females lay their eggs in late summer in the bark of a tree or a plant stem; here, they overwinter, ready to emerge next spring.
Tags: Leptophyes punctatissima Speckled Bush Cricket RHS Hyde Hall Rettendon Essex September Autumn 2018 Insect Invertebrate Cricket
© All Rights Reserved
A beautifully hairy Field Grasshopper sunning itself in the garden this afternoon!
Tags: Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus Hairy Grasshopper Insect Invertebrate Summer Suffolk Ipswich Garden Concrete August 2021
© All Rights Reserved
Hopper in the hand at Hyde Hall today! (Can anyone help with an ID please - also, is the little hole at the base of the antenna the grasshopper's ear?)
Tags: Grasshopper Insect Invertebrate Hand Hopper in the Hand! Rettendon Essex August 2019 Summer RHS RHS Hyde Hall Hyde Hall
© All Rights Reserved