David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
_________________________________________________________
Grasshoppers and Crickets 32 – Rufous Grasshoppers
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus (f) RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus
rufus
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus rufus (f)
RUFOUS GRASSHOPPER Gomphocerippus rufus (nymph)
·
The white-tipped and strongly tapered antennae of
the Rufous
Grasshopper Gomphocerippus rufus should enable the adults of this
uncommon southern species (in the UK) to be identified without great
difficulty. This insect is more widespread in Continental Europe. Favoured UK habitats
include limestone on the south coast and the warm, southern-facing slopes of
chalk downland at inland sites. Flying in the face of this known habitat association,
the male Rufous Grasshoppers shown in the first, third and twelfth photographs
were photographed on a roadside verge in South West London, at some distance
away from any known sites. This unusual sighting has been duly reported. Rufous
coloration is seen on the abdomens of mature males and some females (except for
the purple variant) but the most consistent parts of the anatomy with a reddish
tint are the hind legs of all adults (note that the presumed G. rufus nymph
shown above is entirely brown and, although tapering of the antennae is present
the tips are not pale). The mouthparts are conspicuously white. Patient
watching may allow the rather elaborate (by grasshopper standards) courtship
display to be observed in which the purpose of the white tips of the antennae
will become obvious. In addition to stridulation the males’ antennae are
swivelled to attract the attention of the females and it is presumed that
pheromonal signals must also play a part as the surface area of the antennae is
so large. The purple variant (always female) is uncommon and normally
associated with a coastal site in the South West of England where a colony of
this insect is thriving. However, the purple examples illustrated above were
both photographed at a site on the North Downs in Surrey where this form is
reported to be very uncommon. It is uncertain if the presumed ova in the fourth
photograph have been deposited on the leaf by the female but so far as the
author is aware grasshoppers habitually lay their eggs directly into the soil.
·
David’s short film of Rufous Grasshoppers may be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FN0VyK2j3k&list=PL4AirIEc0Nocv0Tjw-fnE-ZZnVrGmXd39&index=10.
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