Mottled Grasshopper

Scientific name
Myrmeleotettix maculatus

Identification
Small, 12-19 mm long. The keel of this species is sharply and deeply indented. Male’s antennae is distinctly clubbed and female’s antennae has a characteristic thick end.

Song
Rapid stridulating chirps (two per second) increasingly loud for 10 to 20 seconds. Often compared to an engine having difficulty starting.

Habitat
Prefers bare ground or short grass and sunny dry places such as sand dunes.

Local status
Found in many locations in the region, mainly coastal areas of Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire.