ORTHOPTERA > CAELIFERA > Acrididae (Grasshoppers) > Gomphocerinae

The attractively-marked and distinctive Stripe-winged Grasshopper is primarily a localised southern species, although a few small populations are known to exist as far north as Yorkshire. It is a medium-sized grasshopper with an overall length (head to wingtips) of 15-23mm.

The body is typically bright green and pale brown with some red on the abdomen. Both sexes are fully winged; characterised by the forewings having a conspicuous white costal stripe and a roughly central, elongated crossline or 'comma-shaped' pale blotch (stigma). However, these features certainly aren't unique, as the wing stripe and less defined versions of the blotch can be found on other species, notably the Common Green Grasshopper [Omocestus viridulus] to which it could be confused. Fortunately, there is a further characteristic that is unique to this species, although you need good light and a detailed side view of the insect to see it, and that is the wide ladder-like row of enlarged medial cells that run down the middle of the forewing. Comparison with Omocestus viridulus will show that that species has an almost merged double row of smaller cells.

The pronotum is well marked and, when viewed from above, have the lateral keels converging towards the head, but gently curving outwards again in a similar manner to Omocestus viridulus, but with broader creamy-white margins.

Mature males gain a reddish abdomen and partially reddish hind legs. Some females have the pronotal keels pinkish, and the hind legs partially pinkish. They also have a small 'tooth' on each ovipositor valve; a feature only found on female Stenobothrus species.

Typical habitat is short, unimproved grassland on chalk downland, but also calcareous heathland and dunes. Nymphs hatch in May with the matured adults appearing in July and typically surviving until October.

Their 'song' is a quiet pulsating metallic rasp 'wheezing' sound that may last from 10-20 seconds.