Belongs to: grasshoppers and crickets
Compare with: meadow grasshopper
Common green grasshopper Omocestus viridulus
Best time to see: Jul to mid Oct
Key facts
A grasshopper that is widespread on coarse grasslands and heaths
Grasshoppers, unlike bush-crickets, have short antennae and are diurnal and vegetarian
Powerful hind legs allow it to leap to safety when threatened
Recognition
Predominantly green or dull olive-brown; 25mm long
Wings reach to the end of its body
Song is a continuous trill, followed by a series of clicks when courting or mating
Lifecycle
Eggs are laid at the base of grass blades in summer and hatch the following spring
Pupate and emerge as adults from late June onwards
- photo
© Tony Gunton