IMeadow Grasshopper > Chorthippus parallelus

Description: Body size; males 10mm to 20mm, females 15mm to 5mm. This species is typically predominantly green. There is often a dark grey/brown stripe running through the eye and the flanks of the abdomen are usually more or less mottled black or with distinct black bars. The hind femur (upper leg) is typically plain pale brown or greenish above with a herringbone pattern extending down the middle. Like the Field Grasshopper, some rather bizarre colour variations occur in this species; purple specimens are not that uncommon. At maturity, the females wings barely extend halfway down the abdomen. Mature males have longer wings that almost extend to the tip of the abdomen which, at maturity, is brownish. In good years, populations may build up dramatically and winged forms may develop which then leave to exploit new sites. Its life cycle is very similar to that of the Field Grasshopper although the emergence of the nymphs and adult maturity occur slightly earlier. It favours very similar habitats to the Field Grasshopper and the two species are found together very often. However, the Meadow Grasshopper is more tolerant of damper conditions and rather ranker vegetation. Very common and found in all but the driest grassland sites. Nymphs from late April to June, adults from June until mid November. Return to Grasshoppers Index Return to Main Index dslr, digital, photography, macro lenses, telephoto lenses prime lenses, tripods