Common Groundhopper
Taxonomy
Orthoptera » Caelifera » Acridoidea » Tetrigidae » Tetrix undulata
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
Small grasshopper-like insect with wide ‘shoulders’ and a narrow tapering abdomen hidden beneath an extended pronotum. More robust looking than Cepero’s and Slender Groundhopper, with a very prominent keel on the pronotum and shorter wings. There is a rare long-winged form (f. macroptera), found mainly in the Cairngorm National Park, which has a pronotum and wings similar in length to the other two species of groundhopper. The best way to distinguish it is the very prominent keel on the pronotum (see also Tim Ransom's forum post of 21 April 2012).
Size
8-14 mm
Wings
Short wings that do not exceed the pronotum in length. Rare semi-macropterous form (f. macroptera) has only been recorded in the Scottish Highlands. Capable of flight and adults can swim.
Stridulation
None.
Food
Mainly mosses and lichens.
Habitat
Open habitat with bare ground and short vegetation but unlike T. subulata and T. ceperoi it occurs in both wet and dry locations. Presence of moss is important.
Phenology
Late instar nymphs and immature adults overwinter and mature in spring. Nymphs appear from May to July. Adults may be found at any time of the year.