Grasshoppers have short antennae, distinguishing them from crickets. They are insects of open grassland, particularly where there are areas of short vegetation in full sun. Colour isn't a particularly helpful ID character, as most species are variable with brown, green, pink and red individuals. The key feature to look for is the shape and pattern of the pronotum (the part which covers the top of the thorax) and specifically the 'keels' - where the top folds over to the sides.
From left to right: Lesser Marsh GH | Meadow GH | Green GH | Field GH | Mottled GH (image from A Guide to the Shropshire Orthoptera and Dermaptera)
View the NatureSpot gallery for grasshoppers and crickets to see all the species found in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper
Mid July-October. Common in damp grassland. Similar to the Meadow Grasshopper but with full length wings.
ID: 13-23mm. Pronotal keels almost parallel. White line along the wing edge. Full size wings with a costal bulge.
Meadow Grasshopper
Adults from June to September (sometimes surviving to October). Some females are pink or purple.
ID: 10-23mm. Usually green with brown wings (sometimes all-brown). Pronotal keels almost parallel. Black 'knees'. Females short-winged, males long-winged.
Common Green Grasshopper
Adults from July until November. Favours old grassland.
ID: 14-23mm. Pronotum keels gently incurved with creamy lines. Wings never extend past the end of the body.
Common Field Grasshopper
One of our most common grasshoppers and often found in dry, open grassland. Variable colours, from brown and grey to orange and purple.
ID: 15-25mm. Dark wedges along the pronotal keels - not reaching the base. The underside of the body is hairy.
Mottled Grasshopper
Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland with the main colony found at Bradgate Park.
ID: Side keels of the pronotum are deeply indented, often forming a whitish X shape. Males have clubbed antennae and female antennae have thickened tips.
