Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus)
Worcestershire status: Common in south east and possibly under-recorded elsewhere.
UK status: Common in most counties in south east England and East Anglia, also in south Wales.
Habitat preferences: Once a wet meadow species now found in most grassland types.
Notes: First record is from Eckington in 1995 and is now found across the south east half of the county. Still spreading? May be under-recorded due to its similarity to Meadow Grasshopper.
UK status: Common in most counties in south east England and East Anglia, also in south Wales.
Habitat preferences: Once a wet meadow species now found in most grassland types.
Notes: First record is from Eckington in 1995 and is now found across the south east half of the county. Still spreading? May be under-recorded due to its similarity to Meadow Grasshopper.
Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus)
Worcestershire status: Common and widespread but possibly declining(?).
UK status: Common over most of Britain.
Habitat preferences: Most unmown grassland. Less common dry grassland and heath.
Notes: Still a common species but it may be declining as a result of competition from the similar Lesser Marsh Grasshopper or possibly as a result of the forces that are allowing the latter species to increase its range.
UK status: Common over most of Britain.
Habitat preferences: Most unmown grassland. Less common dry grassland and heath.
Notes: Still a common species but it may be declining as a result of competition from the similar Lesser Marsh Grasshopper or possibly as a result of the forces that are allowing the latter species to increase its range.
Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus)
Worcestershire status: Locally common.
UK status: Common in most counties in Britain.
Habitat preferences: Dry grassland, heaths, road verges.
Notes: This species likes areas of broken turf especially on drier ground but flies well so can occur in any area including gardens.
UK status: Common in most counties in Britain.
Habitat preferences: Dry grassland, heaths, road verges.
Notes: This species likes areas of broken turf especially on drier ground but flies well so can occur in any area including gardens.
Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus)
Worcestershire status: Local.
UK status: Found in most counties in Britain where suitable habitat exists.
Habitat preferences: Dry grassland and heath.
Notes: This is a small grasshopper but the male is very distinctive with 'hockey stick' antennae.
UK status: Found in most counties in Britain where suitable habitat exists.
Habitat preferences: Dry grassland and heath.
Notes: This is a small grasshopper but the male is very distinctive with 'hockey stick' antennae.
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
Worcestershire status: Widespread but appears to be in decline.
UK status: Still a common species across the whole country.
Habitat preferences: Prefers unimproved grassland with varied flowering plants.
Notes: Despite its name this is not our commonest species. It is usually the first to mature and its familiar rattling call can be heard as early as Mid-June in good years.
UK status: Still a common species across the whole country.
Habitat preferences: Prefers unimproved grassland with varied flowering plants.
Notes: Despite its name this is not our commonest species. It is usually the first to mature and its familiar rattling call can be heard as early as Mid-June in good years.
Stripe-winged Grasshopper (Stenobothrus lineatus)
Worcestershire status: Rare (or absent?)
UK status: Local in southern Britain and East Anglia.
Habitat preferences: A species of chalk grassland and downs, occassionally in heath and sand dunes. Recorded from two sites on the Malvern Hills in 1995 and 1999. No records since, despite searches.
Notes: A secretive species closely resembling the Common Green Grasshopper.
UK status: Local in southern Britain and East Anglia.
Habitat preferences: A species of chalk grassland and downs, occassionally in heath and sand dunes. Recorded from two sites on the Malvern Hills in 1995 and 1999. No records since, despite searches.
Notes: A secretive species closely resembling the Common Green Grasshopper.