Heath Grasshopper
Taxonomy
Orthoptera » Caelifera » Acridoidea » Acrididae » Gomphocerinae » Chorthippus vagans
Status
UK
Distribution Map
Colours show the year of the last record -
| up to 1987 | 1988-97 | 1998 up to present |
Only Recording Scheme datasets are included. Other datasets on the Gateway may hold additional information.
Recordings
Description
Dark, greyish brown with little variation. The pronotum has incurved side-keels and dark wedge-shaped markings. In mature adults the abdomen develops an orange or orange-red tinge extending to the hind femora, which have two dark bands.
Size
13-21 mm
Wings
Winged.
Stridulation
Buzzing with a rapid irregular pulse, repeated at varying intervals; similar to the Meadow Grasshopper but slower and louder, lasting 5-6 seconds.
Food
Heather and other heathland plants.
Habitat
Dry heathland, frequently in areas of pure heather without grasses. The eggs are laid just below the surface of the soil.
Phenology
Short season with nymphs hatching in May. Adults appear by late June and July but only survive until October.