Stethophyma grossum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Large Marsh Grasshopper
Taxonomy:
Orthoptera>>Caelifera>>Acridoidea>>Acrididae>>Oedipodinae
Photos: Click on a thumbnail to see a larger picture.
Status: British Isles native species.
Description: Largest native grasshopper, yellowish green to olive brown in colour with bright red undersides of the hind leg thighs. A plum coloured form is sometimes observed in females. Females are larger than males.
Wings: Fully winged and flies well.
Stridulation: 8 clicks per second, characteristic ‘popping’ stridulation made by ‘kicking’ the wings with its hind legs.
Habitat: Wetland species, usually in acid bogs and tussocky grass especially purple moor-grass and scrub. The eggs are laid in the base of grass tufts.
Phenology: Nymphs emerge in late spring. Adults appear from late July and survive until early November.
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.