Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 7792296

Meadow Grasshopper

Pseudochorthippus parallelus

Meadow grasshoppers are ubiquitous inhabitants of damp pastures, meadows, and roadside verges across Europe. Most individuals are flightless with short, vestigial wings, relying instead on powerful hind legs to leap away from threats. Males produce a soft, rhythmic rasping sound by rubbing their hind legs against their wing veins to attract mates on warm, sunny days.

GrasslandHerbivoreDiurnal
Meadow Grasshopper reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceFritz Geller-Grimm / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Grasses
  • Sedges
  • Forbs
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Wolf spiders
  • Lizards
ThreatsHabitat loss through intensive agriculture and land development
HabitatsMoist grasslands, meadows, pastures, and roadside verges
Life span3–5 months
Classification
  1. OrderOrthoptera
  2. FamilyAcrididae
  3. GenusPseudochorthippus
  4. SpeciesPseudochorthippus parallelus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listening: Walk through sunny pastures in midsummer to hear the soft, ticking song of males.
  • Close observation: Approach slowly from the side to avoid triggering their jumping response.
  • Wing check: Examine the wings closely to spot the shortened shape characteristic of both sexes.
Related species
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