Slender Groundhopper

Tetrix subulata

"Tetrix subulata" is a species of groundhopper known as the slender ground-hopper, awl-shaped pygmy grasshopper and the slender grouse locust. It is found across the Palearctic: in North America, across much of Europe and Asia, from the British Isles east to Siberia, and to the southern parts of North Africa.
Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata) This is a small, fully-wiged grasshopper-like species which can both fly and swim, preferring damp and muddy locations with short vegetation, which is why I was surprised to find this specimen on an average woodland edge just a couple iof hunderd metres from my home.

An adult, so early in the season would have overwintered while new nymphs begin appearing from May onwards.

This is a Herbivorous species, feeding on algae, mosses and lichens.

Alternative names include 'Awl-shaped Pygmy grasshopper' & 'Slender Grouse locust'


 Geotagged,Spring,Tetrix subulata,United Kingdom

Appearance

"T. subulata" has a body length of around 9 to 15 mm; its colour is varied, from light grey to very dark or reddish brown. It usually has well-developed wings and if scared may fly away readily.

This species frequents mainly wet places: moist grasslands near streams, riverbanks and mudflats, but it is also sometimes found in drier places.

Before mating, the male and female communicate with visual signals. When a male detects a female, he approaches her step by step with a hesitant waggling gait. If the female is mating, she responds to the male's approach by moving her hind legs up and down. Adults lay eggs from August and may be found from June-July of the following year.

Habitat

"T. subulata" has a body length of around 9 to 15 mm; its colour is varied, from light grey to very dark or reddish brown. It usually has well-developed wings and if scared may fly away readily.

This species frequents mainly wet places: moist grasslands near streams, riverbanks and mudflats, but it is also sometimes found in drier places.

Before mating, the male and female communicate with visual signals. When a male detects a female, he approaches her step by step with a hesitant waggling gait. If the female is mating, she responds to the male's approach by moving her hind legs up and down. Adults lay eggs from August and may be found from June-July of the following year.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderOrthoptera
FamilyTetrigidae
GenusTetrix
SpeciesT. subulata
Photographed in
United Kingdom