are found on Sunshine Plain deep in the Forest, though not in great numbers. The
groundhopper Tetrix undulata has been found, although it never appears commonly,
which probably has as much to do with its size and colouration as its scarcity. One
surprising absence is that of Tetrix subulata. It was not recognised until towards the end
of this survey that the insect was more common than previously thought, throughout the
County. It is increasingly oeing found on damp margins of ponds elsewhere in Essex and
therefore it would be surprising given the many suitable habitats that exist within the
Forest if its presence here were not confirmed in the near future.
Thorndon Country Park • Ten species
One of several Country Parks owned by Essex County Council, Thorndon comprises 363
acres and lies just to the south east of Brentwood. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, it
has escaped virtually all of the modern day scourges of pesticides, inorganic fertilisers
and ploughing. The area is made up of woodland, grassland and ancient parkland
together with ponds, streams and marshes. The streams and ponds collect their water
mainly from the springs within the park, which reduces the risk of pollution from the
surrounding agricultural countryside.
The grassland supports several species of Orthoptera notably the grasshoppers
Chorthippus brunneus and Chorthippus parallelus and the bush cricket Metrioptera
roeselii. The long winged form of this species diluta is also found here.
A large area of Thorndon is 'wood pasture", consisting of scattered single trees in
grassland, where grazing has been neglected over many years. This has become
invaded with scrub such as bracken and birch, causing the grassland to revert to a
heathland type vegetation. These areas contain Leptophyes punctatissima, Pholidoptera
griseoaptera and that uncommon grasshopper in Essex, Omocestus viridulus. Another
species of grasshopper, Chorthippus albomarginatus, more often associated with seawall
and Saltmarsh vegetation in Essex, can also be found here.
The woodland supports Meconema thalassinum in large numbers whilst the
groundhopper Tetrix undulata is found on the woodland floor. Finally, within the reeds of
the marshland, the bush cricket Conocephalus dorsalis thrives in one of its rare inland
sites within the County.
Further sites supporting seven or more species of Orthoptera are listed below. It may
well be that further species, are to be found in these areas, not all of them having been
extensively surveyed.
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