Tetrix undulata (Sowerby, 1806)

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Status: British Isles native species.

Description: Small grasshopper-like insect with wide ‘shoulders’ and a narrow tapering abdomen hidden beneath an extended pronotum. More robust looking than Cepero’s and Slender Groundhopper, with a very prominent keel on the pronotum and shorter wings.

Size: 8-14 mm

Wings: Short wings that do not exceed the pronotum in length. Rare semi-macropterous form (f. macroptera) has only been recorded in the Scottish Highlands. Capable of flight and adults can swim.

Stridulation: None.

Food: Mainly mosses and lichens.

Habitat: Open habitat with bare ground and short vegetation but unlike T. subulata and T. ceperoi it occurs in both wet and dry locations. Presence of moss is important.

Phenology: Late instar nymphs and immature adults overwinter and mature in spring. Nymphs appear from May to July. Adults may be found at any time of the year.

Distribution: The records held by the National Biodiversity Network are shown in the map below.

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Only the following datasets are included:

• Biological Records Centre - Grasshopper and Cricket (Orthoptera) and related species records from Britain and Ireland to 2007

Other datasets on the gateway may hold additional information.