Common Field Grasshopper - Chorthippus brunneus

Length 15-25 mm. Brownish, but the colour varies, striped and mottled forms occur with parts of the body varying from buff through orange to purple. Sharply incurved pronotal side-keels. The dark wedges on the pronotum don't reach the base. Underside of body is distinctively hairy in both sexes. The species is winged, flies well and has been known to swarm.

ID Guide to Common Grasshoppers

Short vegetation in dry, sunny situations.

Long season with nymphs hatching from late March. Adults appear from June and may survive until early December.

Herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses. Eggs are laid into the soil.

One of the commoner grasshoppers, found throughout most of Britain.

Common in Leicestershire but less so in Rutland.

Present throughout Leicestershire, although few records for Rutland; in gardens, waste ground, verges and heathland; usually abundant where it occurs.