Hopper Round-Up
By Gary Farmer
An encouraging number of records have been received this year and a few are included here. It is hoped to update the distribution maps and we should start to get a true picture of distribution of these fascinating insects.
Lesser marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus)
Found in two sites around Kinsham by Charles Morgan and several areas around Redditch (Patrick Taylor). This species was also found in Trench Wood. Harry Green found colonies at Tiddesley Wood and Longdon Marsh, and John Meiklejohn recorded them at Lower Bittell.
Meadow Grasshopper (C. parallelus)
Found in all the above locations plus Devil’s Spittlefull (Harry Green), Grimley and Bredons Hardwick (Richard Harbird), Hartlebury Common (Andrew Fraser) and Cherry Orchard (John Meiklejohn). This is certainly the commonest species in the county.
Field Grasshopper (C. brunneus)
Another common species so it was surprising that only three sites were recorded. Hartlebury Common (Andrew Fraser) and Grimley and Narrow Wood (Richard Harbird).
Common green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
Only a few records including Bordesley Meadows, Redditch (Patrick Taylor), Lower Bittell and Devil’s Spittlefull (Harry Green) and Upper Bittell and Alvechurch (Richard Harbird).
Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus)
A species of fine, broken turf and heathland so it was no surprise that the only records were from Hartlebury Common and Devil’s Spittlefull.
Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata)
A handful of records, including Kinsham (Charles Morgan), Ipsley Alders, Monk Wood and Trench Wood. John Meiklejohn found colonies at the Knapp and Papermill and Whiteleaved Oak, Andrew Fraser recorded them at Hartlebury Common and Harry Green identified some at Upper Bittell.
Common Groundhopper (T. undulata)
Recorded at Grafton Wood, Lower Bittell, Wyre Forest, Devil’s Spittlefull, Hartlebury Common and Lower Westmancote.
Dark Bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)
Found in Grafton Wood (Peter Bond) and many hedgerows around the county including Uckinghall, Hallow and Bredons Hardwick (Richard Harbird).
Speckled Bush-cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima)
Spotted in several of the Trust’s woodlands including Trench, Hunthouse and Grafton. Also recorded at Kinsham and Pirton Pool (J.A.Asbury) and Gwen Finch Reserve by John Meiklejohn.
Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum)
Once again bathrooms were the favored habitat with records from Evesham Road (Patrick Taylor), Flyford Flavel (Peter Bond), Little Comberton and Headless Cross. They were also recorded from Oak trees near Alvechurch, Grafton Wood Orchard ( J. Bingham), Arrow Valley Park (Alan Shepherd), Grimley (John Meiklejohn) and Feckenham Wylde Moor (Mike Woodgate).
Short-winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis)
Still only known from Ipsley Alders Marsh.
If you have any Orthoptera records please send them into the WBRC or myself and I will pass them on.