A pair of common field grasshoppers

 I found a pair of common field grasshoppers, Chorthippus brunneus, in the wildlife garden. They were basking on a stone near each other (see photo below) and I managed to approach closely, so that their distinctive hairy underside is visible. They are a variable species, with pink and orange forms, but this population is made of brown, mottled ones. They are winged, and therefore good colonisers, with their folded wings sticking beyond their knees. The male is smaller and has a brightly coloured abdomen and longer antennae. Check the species page of Orthoptera & Allied Insects for more information.

Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers

Our back garden opens to an access road, on it there is an area of south facing rough ground which used to be concreted over. With time, grass has taken hold and now it is a little wild area. I cut the grass once a year trying to promote a meadow, and have sown wildflower seeds and naturalised Birds Foot trefoil, oxeye daisies and foxgloves. Today we had a big surprise when in a matter of minutes we came across two species of grasshoppers there, the first time we come across grasshoppers there. We came across at least two female Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, Chorthippus albomarginatus, a green one and a brown one, and a calling male Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus. Both are common species in the U.K. and are present in the nearby wildlife garden. I anticipate interesting grasshopper behaviour watching! watch this space for more grasshopper posts.