7
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
Very few records exist in Essex for this species, most
of these are from the south-west of our county. It is
said to prefer lush, damp grassland, although, whilst
in Yorkshire recently, I constantly found it in dry
limestone areas. It is totally lacking from the
Eastern half of the county, but should be present in
all areas of grassland, particularly those containing
areas of Ling or Cross-Leaved Heath. Lush meadows
should also prove to be suitable habitats.
Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus)
This will never be a common species in Essex, preferring
dry, sandy, stony areas of sparse vegetation or typical
heathland. However, records are turning up, and old
disused sand and gravel pits which have been colonised
by this type of vegetation could prove productive,
although the species may prefer a more stabilised area.
All records for this grasshopper would be extremely
welcome, especially as there are so few at present.
Short-Winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis)
Very common in coastal areas, particularly on stems of
reeds, rushes and grasses and ought to be found in this
habitat all around our coast. There are gaps, however,
and it may well be under-recorded along the Thames
estuary as you get closer to London. Records are
sparse for this species all along the Crouch estuary.
Inland records do exist for this species and it is always
worth checking reeds and rushes around inland water
where it may occur.
Speckled Bush Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima)
This insect ought to be found anywhere in the county.
It prefers bushy, scrubby vegetation and seems to
prefer just sitting on bramble, almost always low in
the vegetation. Records are widely spread across