Particular areas warrant some explanation. The north east of the County is, broadly
speaking, the area covered by the Colchester Natural History Society and whilst the
Orthoptera survey was being undertaken, a similar exercise was in progress (also on a
1km square basis) recording the flora of north east Essex. Several of the flora recorders
were able to identify some of the common species of grasshoppers and crickets and this

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extra input of records within the area is well illustrated on the 1km square map that
shows all species recorded. In addition to this, in the early years, recording was
concentrated heavily within the Colchester Borough boundary a bias occurring on the
1km square maps for species such as Leptophyes punctatissima and Meconema
thalassinum. However, by looking at the 5km square maps for these species the even
distribution of the insects throughout the County is apparent. As the survey progressed
and the recording spread throughout other areas of Essex, it became noticeable that the
numbers of Orthoptera in the eastern half of the County were greater particularly in the
coastal regions, although this may reflect the fact that north east Essex was surveyed
more thoroughly than other parts of the County.
The north west of the County has been heavily recorded, and the absence of records
probably does accurately portray just how scarce many of the species become the
further north and west one travels. Roadside verges are probably the best remaining
habitat for Orthoptera in this region of the County, where they occur, for the area is
dominated by intensive arable farming; in some places the crop coming to within feet of
the road. As a result of the lack of habitat the number of species per 10km square is
noticeably lower than those recorded in other parts of Essex. In general it is much more
difficult to obtain records in this area, particularly for grasshoppers.
The south east of the County has been reasonably well covered although the area to the
south of the Dengie peninsular, being rather inaccessible, could probably have been dealt
with more thoroughly. The number of records which further excursions might have added
would have been small, however, the habitat being very uniform, and it was felt that the
time could be better spent elsewhere. The Southend district has been well surveyed;
including the M.o.D. range at Foulness to which access is restricted. Amongst the area's
ribbon development there are many fine habitats and several species are abundant.
The Thames Estuary is perhaps the least well recorded of all the areas and several
species such as Metrioptera roeselii, Conocephalus dorsalis and Chorthippus
albomarginatus are probably more frequent than the maps suggest. To the north of the
estuary, spreading up into central Essex is an area that, whilst being covered adequately
as far as 5km square recording is concerned, has not been subjected to the detailed
searches which have taken place in the other areas. Recorders here are very thin on the
ground and, if anywhere in the County could benefit from further recording, it is here.
The south west, which includes the Lea Valley and Epping Forest, has been adequately
covered and is undoubtedly rich in species. Further recording might yield more 5km
square records particularly for the two species of groundhopper - Tetrix subulata and
T.undulata.
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