David Element's Wildlife Web Page Orthopteroids 5

David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

_____________________ Orthopteroids 5

LARGE CONE-HEAD Ruspolia nitidula

SADDLE-BACKED BUSH CRICKET Ephippiger ephippiger (m)

HOUSE CRICKET Modycogryllus parapleurus (f)

ITALIAN LOCUST Calliptamus sp. (?italicus or barbarus)

MOTTLED GRASSHOPPERS Myrmeleotettix maculatus (f) OVIPOSITING

LONG-WINGED GRASSHOPPER Aiolopus strepens

LARGE MARSH GRASSHOPPER Stethophyma grossum

RED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER Oedipoda germanica

OEDIPALE OCCIDENTALE Oedipoda charpentieri

With the exception of the photographs of the ovipositing Mottled Grasshoppers, all of the above images were taken in southern France.

The Large Cone-head and the Italian Locust (presuming correct identification) are also displayed here. Each species has more than one colour form and the Italian Locust has red flash coloration on the hindlegs and hindwings. Not to be outdone, the Mottled Grasshopper is a particularly variable species with at least a dozen described colour forms.

The Large Marsh Grasshopper is a large and colourful species which is normally found exclusively in very marshy places.

The Long-winged Grasshopper frequents marshy habitats close to still water bodies. The dark patches and pale bands on the forewing are reasonably reliable identification characters. The ground colour is variable - normally green or brown. With thanks to Roy Kleukers for correcting the identification of this species.

The Saddle-backed Bush Cricket is a true heavyweight. Predominantly nocturnal, this cricket is known by the onomatapoeic name of "le tizi" in France. Both sexes stridulate and there are other similar species.

With thanks to Roy Kleukers for correctly identifying this House Cricket to species.

The two Oedipoda species are close relatives of the Blue-winged Grasshopper shown elsewhere on this site. These insects are difficult to separate. Both of the above have flash coloration although the hindwings that are employed for this purpose are different colours, deep red in the case of Oedipoda germanica and blue in O.charpentieri. These colours are normally only visible when these insects take off in response to disturbance - often at the last moment as they depend on the protection of their cryptic coloration. These grasshoppers tend to inhabit very dry areas.