8
The survey of Orthoptera was undertaken to rectify the lack of records for this group
within the park. The survey commenced on 27 June 1992 and concluded on 27 July 1992.
The aim was to spend as much time as possible during the course of that period studying
the grasshopper and cricket population within the Park. The study periods were at
weekends, weekday lunchtimes and evenings, an approximate total of thirty hours.
To aid identification of the species the field guide "The Grasshoppers and Allied Insects
of Great Britain and Ireland", by J. Marshall and E. Haas, published by Harley Books Ltd,
Colchester, and "A Sound Guide to the Grasshoppers and Allied Insects of Great Britain
and Ireland", also published by Harley Books in conjunction with the BBC Natural
History Unit, Bristol and the British Museum (Natural History) London, compiled by J.
Burton were used.
In order to confirm the records, species were captured and identified using an eye glass
and the excellent key in the above mentioned field guide. All specimens were released
alive at the spot of their capture.
The species list recorded is as follows:
Acrididae
Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus). First recorded on 27 June 1992 this
grasshopper was abundant throughout the entire area of the autumn cut meadow and the
arboretum.
Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus). First recorded on 24 July 1992 a
scattered population of this grasshopper existed throughout the autumn cut meadow and
the arboretum.
Tettigoniidae
Roesels Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii). First recorded on 11 July 1992 this
species was restricted to the western side of the autumn cut meadow, but were abundant
in number in their restricted zone.
Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thalassinum). First recorded on 23 July 1992 just two
of this species were seen, they were both recorded by physical appearance only as no
identifiable sounds were heard. The first one was on the overhanging branch of an oak
tree at the eastern tip of the lake nearest the car park.
The second one was seen falling from an oak tree onto the ground beside the small pond
in the woods, immediately followed by a wasp of the Vespidae family. The wasp grappled
with the cricket before dismembering its legs and head, and flying off with the
unfortunate cricket's head, leaving behind the dismembered torso.
Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera). First recorded on 27 July 1992 three
individuals were singing from a bramble patch bordering the coppice plot of 1990/91 in
the south west bank of the wood's pond
Two other individuals were singing from a bramble patch beside the entrance gate to the
wood's car park.