ORTHOPTERA > CAELIFERA > Acrididae (Grasshoppers) > Gomphocerinae

The Woodland Grasshopper is a localised, nationally scarce species that is restricted to southern England, north to the Cotswolds. and with a few scattered sightings in East Anglia. It is a small to medium, variably-sized grasshopper with an overall length (head to wingtips) of 12-20mm; females generally being slightly larger than the males.

Adults are fully-winged in both sexes with the forewings lacking the costal bulge along the lower edge as found in Chorthippus species. Woodland Grasshoppers are typically dark greyish-brown, although slightly paler forms do occur, and some females have green dorsal surfaces that give can give them a strong resemblance to the closely related Common Green Grasshopper [Omocestus viridulus], but with a red patch on the underside of the tip of the abdomen that that species never has. Mature males are often blackish with extensive red colouration of the abdomen. The pronotal keels are strongly incurved and, although difficult to see at times, the tips of the palps are white, which is characteristic of the species.

From my early experiences of photographing this species, it should be noted that some individuals may be mistaken for the previously described Field Grasshopper [Chorthippus brunneus], and can even be confused with the much rarer Heath Grasshopper [Chorthippus vagans], which is why good photos are required from both the side and from above if identification is to be confirmed.

By way of an example, the individual photographed at Burley was initially identified on the Orthoptera FB group as a Heath Grasshopper based on various features including "central thorax not too hairy, wings not obviously extending beyond the hind knees and black wedge reaching hind margin of pronotum". It was noted as an excellent find until one of the experts questioned the identity, pointing out "the lack of a costal bulge and the fact that there is a little less pronotum forward of the sulcus than behind, strongly suggesting that it was a male Woodland Grasshopper". That view was subsequently endorsed with further comments about features, not being swayed by the habitat, and the importance of having a good dorsal view that probably would have avoided the initial misidentification!

I made a similar error with one I found at Ebblake Bog, wishfully thinking it was a Heath Grasshopper, but again it was the shape of the pronotum, and the respective slightly forward position of the sulcus, where the portion at the rear was about a third longer than that in front, which determined it was a typical Woodland Grasshopper, whereas with Chorthippus vagans the sulcus is near enough central when viewed from above.

Whilst the more usual habitat of Omocestus rufipes is along woodland edges where there are some tall grasses, the species can also be found in more open grassland areas as well as on some heathlands.

Nymphs hatch in April or May with adults normally appearing from June, but rarely surviving much beyond the end of September.

Their 'song' bursts consist of a series of ticks lasting from around 5-15 seconds that gradually increase in volume before stopping suddenly.