Orthoptera of Essex 2000 - a review of current status
searches.
Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus
An uncommon species in the county, with just 36 1km records, and all but one in the western half of
Essex. Just one recent new 10km record, in 1997 at Basildon, but seemingly doomed as it was found
on the site of the new rugby ground! A few recent records from Epping Forest, its stronghold in
Essex.
Common Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus
Found in every 10km square in the county, widespread and very common, but prefers drier vegetation.
Meadow Grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus
Recorded in all but one of the 10km squares, the missing area being TL 44. Very common.
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus
Found in 41 of the 10km squares and like M. roeselii, spreading away from its traditional strongholds
of coast and estuary. Three new 10km records since the 1997 publication from TL 50, TL 60 and TL
62.
Mottled Grasshopper Myrmeleotettix maculatus
A rare insect in the county, just eight 1km records reflect the lack in Essex of heathy habitat required
by this species. No new records since being found at Colne Point in 1990.
References
WAKE, AJ. (1997) Grasshoppers & Crickets (Orthoptera) of Essex. Colchester Natural History Society,
Colchester.
Essex geology report
GERALD LUCY
7 Barnards Court, Church Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1JS
The year 2000 saw a lot of activity in the field of Essex geology, much of it designed to increase
public awareness of our Earth heritage. However, the most unusual geological event happened by
chance at Stansted Airport and received much publicity in the local press.
Archaeologists working for British Airports Authority were excavating in advance of an extension
to the passenger terminal when they discovered a large sarsen stone erratic at least a metre long and
wide and weighing over a tonne. Sarsen stones are common in north Essex and so this would not in
itself be unusual, but this stone was discovered on the site of a Bronze Age village together with
direct evidence that it had been moved during the Bronze Age, some 3,500 years ago. Curiously, the
stone was found in a rubbish pit with Bronze Age detritus above and below it, so it must have been
used for a purpose and then placed in the pit for some unknown reason. The discovery is important
as it is by far the earliest evidence in Essex that prehistoric man was aware of the existence of these
102
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)