ORTHOPTERA > CAELIFERA > Acrididae (Grasshoppers) > Gomphocerinae

A common and widespread, medium to large-sized species where the females have an overall length (head to wingtips) of 19-25mm compared with the noticeably smaller males that only average around 17mm; much the same size as the female Mottled Grasshopper [Myrmeleotettix maculatus] to which they can be confused.

Due to their extremely variable body colour and patterning, the most reliable features for identifying the species are the strongly inflexed pronotal side-keels in combination with the long wings that always protrude beyond the hind 'knees' and, quite often, well beyond the end of the abdomen. The forewings of both sexes have a costal bulge near the base of the lower edge. Some individuals have prominent black wedges on the dorsal surface of the pronotum that finish well short of the rear margin. Another characteristic worth noting is that they are quite hairy, particularly on the underside of the thorax.

There are several colour forms. The most common are mottled shades of brown with various lighter and darker markings, including the aforementioned black wedges; a similar although more greyish-brown variant; a plainer, buff-coloured form with a pale olive-brown top and largely unmarked pronotum; and a light brown form with either a shiny or pale green dorsal surface. There's also an uncommon partially pinkish, orange or reddish colour, or all-purple, and a rare all-green form. Adults of both sexes can have some orange-red colouration on the abdomen which, certainly in respect of mature males, can be quite intense. Although different coloured females may be found in the same area, the appearance is normally reasonably consistent within a population, such that you need to explore new locations if you are to find the less common forms.

Field Grasshoppers avoid lush, damp vegetation, instead preferring drier, parched places with shorter grass.

The species has a long season as nymphs can start hatching as early as March if the weather conditions are right. Adults are typically seen from June and, in some years, may persist right through to early December.

Their 'song' consists of a series of 6-10 short chirps or burrs, which have been likened to the sound made when flicking through a pack of cards. Each chirp only lasts around half a second with a pause of one or two seconds before the next. Females can also stridulate, but are quieter.