2016 - Orthoptera and Allied Insects in Worcestershire
After the last few years of new species and range expansions, 2015/2016 was a relatively quiet period on the Orthoptera & Allied Insects front in Worcestershire. Here is a brief update:
Lesne's Earwig appears to be increasing its range in the county. It has now been discovered along the Severn valley up as far as the Wyre Forest area. It was reported from plants such as Elm hedges, Broom and Japaneses Knotweed. Also this species had increased in abundance at sites from previous years. Another interesting observation linked Lesne's Earwig with old orchards. There were reports from various orchards in the Avon valley and surrounding area, so is this a true association or just individuals wandering into orchards from adjacent old hedgerows?
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The Common Green Grasshopper is a species in decline in Worcestershire. The reasons are unclear, but it appears to be a species which is retreating to heathland sites.
It is still a common sight and sound in the heaths around Wyre Forest and Bewdley as it is on the Malvern Hills. There is also a small population at an old orchard in the Lenches, but appears to have disappeared from some other areas. |
The range expansion of Lesser Marsh Grasshopper seems to have stalled in Worcestershire. It had been expected to reach Wyre Forest but as yet there have been no confirmed records. A few hopeful 1st instars have been collected from sites and bred through but none have been found to be Lesser Marsh Grasshopper. So Wyre still awaits its first record for this species.
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