Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Chorthippus (?) parallelus ("parallel")

Adult Meadow Grasshopper (subspecies C. b. brunneus) at Geddington, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: Chorthippus parallelus brunneus
Length: 10-23mm  /  Wingspan: ? 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

Along with the Common Field Grasshopper, the Meadow Grasshopper is one of the two common grasshopper species found in Britain.  However, it is a little smaller than the other species, and green rather than the (usual) brown of the Field Grasshopper.  This particular individual had lost one of its hind legs, but was still capable of the spectacularly large jumps that grasshoppers are famed for,

Related Species:
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae
Genus: Chorthippus
SUBSPECIES: N/A

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident seen in Summer

 - Common around Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus)

OTHER NAMES: Field Grasshopper

Latin Etymology: Chorthippus (?) brunneus ("brown")

Adult Common Field Grasshopper (subspecies C. b. brunneus) at Geddington, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: Chorthippus brunneus brunneus
Length: 15-25mm  /  Wingspan: ? 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very common and widely variable species found in heath and grasslands throughout the UK and Europe, as well as North Africa and some of Asia.  It is fairly ubiquitous in Britain as one of the most species. While most commonly brown like the one above, the species can be green, purple and black among others.  Like many grasshoppers, they are often quite easy to hear from the undergrowth before you see them.

Related Species:
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae
Genus: Chorthippus 
SUBSPECIES: C. b. brevis, C. b. brunneus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident seen in Summer

 - Common around Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .