Mottled Grasshopper
Taxonomy
Orthoptera » Caelifera » Acridoidea » Acrididae » Gomphocerinae » Myrmeleotettix maculatus
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
A small variable grasshopper (12 described colour forms). Clubbed antennae of males and thickened antennal tips of females are distinctive, both lack white tips. The side keels of the pronotum are deeply indented.
Size
12-19 mm
Wings
Winged; strong flight over short distances.
Stridulation
A sequence of short buzzing sounds lasting 10-15 seconds (begins softly, reaches a climax and then stops abruptly)
Food
Herbivorous, mainly grasses.
Habitat
Dry situations exposed to the sun with short turf and bare ground, usually on free draining soils on sand, gravels chalk and other limestone. Typical locations are the steep sides of disused quarries, road and rail cuttings, heaths and coastal dunes. Present on several small, off-shore islands.
Phenology
Nymphs hatch from end of April to June. Adults appear by mid June through to October.