Field Grasshopper

Chorthippus parallelus

Field Grasshopper

The Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus burnous) is a common and widespread and is usually found in open, sunny, grassland, including gardens. It is usually mottled brown in colour with barring on the sides and is most easily identified if seen close-up when the very hairy ‘chest’ is clearly visible.  Adults are present from June until late autumn, feeding on plants and grass.  Males can be heard attracting the females by rubbing their legs against their wings to create a ‘song’ – in this case it is brief, single chirrup, repeated at short intervals.  After mating, the eggs are laid in the soil ready to hatch the following summer.