Grasshoppers and crickets are vital components of the UK’s ecosystems, playing key roles in the food web and serving as indicators of environmental health. Known for their characteristic songs produced by stridulation, these insects are commonly found in grasslands, woodlands, and even gardens. In the UK, grasshoppers and crickets belong to the order Orthoptera, which consists of around 30 species, each adapted to different habitats and environmental conditions. This page explores at least 20 grasshopper and cricket species found in the UK, their habitats, characteristics, and ecological importance.
Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus)
The Field Grasshopper is one of the most common grasshoppers in the UK, found in grasslands, roadside verges, and wastelands. It varies in colour from brown to green and is known for its distinctive buzzing call during the summer.
Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus)
This species is widespread across the UK, favouring damp grasslands and meadows. The Meadow Grasshopper is typically green with a pink or brown variation, and unlike many other grasshoppers, it cannot fly.
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
The Common Green Grasshopper is abundant in the UK, particularly in meadows and upland areas. As its name suggests, it is primarily green, and its call is a long, continuous buzz. It is one of the most vocal grasshoppers during summer.
Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus)
The Mottled Grasshopper prefers dry, sandy habitats such as heathlands and coastal dunes. It has a distinctive mottled appearance and produces short bursts of song, often heard in warm weather.
Stripe-winged Grasshopper (Stenobothrus lineatus)
This grasshopper is found in dry grasslands and chalky areas, primarily in southern England. It has a prominent dark stripe along its wings and makes a high-pitched, ticking sound during flight.
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus)
Common in wetlands and marshy grasslands, the Lesser Marsh Grasshopper is usually green or brown with pale wing edges. Its song consists of a series of ticking sounds, and it is more common in southern parts of the UK.
Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata)
Groundhoppers differ from grasshoppers by their smaller size and extended pronotum that covers their wings. The Slender Groundhopper is typically found in damp habitats such as marshes and riverbanks.
Common Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata)
This species prefers dry, sandy soils and heathlands. Like other groundhoppers, it is small and winged, with a cryptic brown or grey appearance that helps it blend into its surroundings.
Large Marsh Grasshopper (Stethophyma grossum)
A rare species in the UK, the Large Marsh Grasshopper is found in wet, marshy habitats in southern England. It is large and brightly coloured, typically green or yellow, and its presence is an indicator of healthy wetland ecosystems.
Southern Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema meridionale)
This small, green cricket is found primarily in southern England and has spread northward in recent years. Unlike many crickets, the Southern Oak Bush-cricket is silent, relying on its camouflaged body to evade predators.
Dark Bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)
A widespread species, the Dark Bush-cricket inhabits hedgerows, woodlands, and gardens. It is dark brown with short wings and produces a continuous, rasping song at dusk.
Speckled Bush-cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima)
This small, green cricket is covered in tiny black spots and is commonly found in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. Its song is a soft, high-pitched sound, often inaudible to humans but detectable through bat detectors.
Roesel’s Bush-cricket (Metrioptera roeselii)
Roesel’s Bush-cricket is found in grasslands and is distinguished by its green-brown body with yellowish spots. Its song is a continuous buzzing sound, and it has expanded its range northward in recent years.
Great Green Bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima)
The Great Green Bush-cricket is the largest cricket species in the UK, with a striking green body and long wings. It is found in grasslands and coastal areas in southern England. Its loud, harsh song can be heard on warm summer evenings.
Long-winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus)
This long-winged cricket is typically found in wetlands and coastal grasslands. It is green with brown wings and has a distinctive cone-shaped head. The song is a continuous buzzing sound.
Short-winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis)
As its name suggests, the Short-winged Conehead has much shorter wings than its long-winged relative. It inhabits wet, marshy grasslands and produces a similar buzzing song. This species is less widespread but can be found in southern England.
Bog Bush-cricket (Metrioptera brachyptera)
The Bog Bush-cricket is a rare species confined to heathlands and boggy areas in southern England. It has short wings and a dark brown body with a yellowish underside. Its song is a series of brief, high-pitched chirps.
Wood Cricket (Nemobius sylvestris)
The Wood Cricket inhabits woodlands, particularly in southern England. It is small and brown, with short wings, and its song is a rapid series of chirps, which are often heard in warm, sunny conditions.
House Cricket (Acheta domesticus)
Originally native to the Mediterranean region, the House Cricket is now found indoors across the UK, particularly in warm buildings. It is a small, brown cricket that produces a loud, trilling song, especially during the night.
Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum)
The Oak Bush-cricket is widespread in woodlands, gardens, and parks. It is a small, green cricket that spends much of its life in trees and shrubs. Unlike many crickets, it is silent and does not produce a song.
Ecological Importance of Grasshoppers and Crickets
Grasshoppers and crickets are crucial to the health of UK ecosystems. As herbivores, grasshoppers help regulate plant growth and are a key food source for birds, small mammals, and other predators. Their songs, produced by rubbing their wings or legs together, are a distinctive feature of summer landscapes and contribute to the soundscape of natural habitats.
Grasshoppers, in particular, play a significant role in maintaining grassland ecosystems by grazing on plants and cycling nutrients. Crickets, especially bush-crickets, are often indicators of habitat quality, as many species are sensitive to changes in vegetation structure and climate conditions. Moreover, the presence or absence of certain grasshopper and cricket species can serve as bioindicators, helping conservationists monitor environmental changes.
Conservation Status
Several grasshopper and cricket species in the UK are under threat due to habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and changes in land use. For example, species like the Large Marsh Grasshopper and Bog Bush-cricket have experienced significant declines due to the drainage of wetlands and degradation of heathland habitats. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and the protection of key reserves, are critical to ensuring the survival of these species.
Conclusion
Grasshoppers and crickets are a fascinating and vital part of the UK’s natural heritage, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological functioning of grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and urban areas. With their characteristic songs and distinctive behaviours, these insects offer an important insight into the health of the environment. As pressures on their habitats continue to mount, it is essential to safeguard these species and the ecosystems they support for future generations to enjoy.