Insects diurnal

Bow-winged Grasshopper

Chorthippus biguttulus

Meet the rhythmic musician of the summer meadows. Famous for its accelerating 'creak' and distinctive bowed wings, the Bow-winged Grasshopper is a master of the dry grassland stage.

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Quick Identification

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Size

13-22 mm (0.5-0.9 inches); males are typically smaller than females.

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Colors

Highly variable shades of brown, grey, and olive green; males often feature a vibrant orange-red tip on the abdomen.

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Key Features

Strongly curved 'bowed' leading edge of the forewing
Pronotum side-keels sharply angled inward
Male abdomen tip often bright orange-red
Song is a rhythmic metallic creak that accelerates

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10 AM - 5 PM

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Season July-October

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Diet Primarily a generalist herbivore that feeds on various species of meadow grasses and occasionally small herbaceous plants.

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Habitat Dry, sunny grasslands, hay meadows, forest clearings, and urban brownfield sites with patches of bare ground.

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Behavior

The Bow-winged Grasshopper is a quintessential sun-seeker, spending the vast majority of its day basking on low-lying vegetation or patches of bare soil to regulate its body temperature. It is most famous for its acoustic behavior; males produce a complex song by rubbing their hind legs against their forewings. This song starts with a few slow chirps and rapidly accelerates into a buzzing crescendo, a primary tool for attracting mates and marking territory in crowded meadows.

While they are agile jumpers, they are also surprisingly capable fliers over short distances when startled. They are not social in a traditional sense but are often found in high densities where habitat conditions are ideal. To humans, they are entirely harmless and are often viewed as a charismatic indicator of a healthy, biodiverse grassland ecosystem.

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Camera Tips

Capturing high-quality footage of a Bow-winged Grasshopper requires a specialized approach since these insects are small and move quickly. For the best results, use a camera with a macro lens or a high-quality 'close-focus' capability. Position your camera just 6 to 12 inches off the ground, aimed toward a sun-drenched patch of bare soil or a flat stone, as these are preferred basking spots where grasshoppers remain still for longer periods.

Since these insects are ectothermic, their activity is dictated by the sun. Set your camera to record during the hottest hours of the day, usually between 11 AM and 3 PM. To trigger the sensor effectively, you may need to increase the sensitivity of your PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor if your camera allows, as the small heat signature of an insect can be difficult to detect. Alternatively, use time-lapse mode with a short interval—every 30-60 seconds—to catch them as they move through the frame.

You can encourage them to visit a specific 'stage' for your camera by creating a micro-habitat. Place a flat, dark rock in a sunny spot and surround it with some native grasses. This creates a thermal 'hotspot' that acts as a natural lure. Avoid using artificial baits, as these grasshoppers are naturally attracted to warmth and structural variety rather than food lures. If your camera has a microphone, the audio is just as important as the video for this species.

For the clearest identification, try to capture a side-on (lateral) view. This helps highlight the 'bowed' shape of the wing and the angle of the pronotum keels, which are essential for distinguishing this species from its cousins. Using high-speed video settings, such as 60fps or 120fps, is excellent for capturing the rapid vibration of their legs during song, providing a fascinating slow-motion look at their mechanics.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bow-winged Grasshopper.

Field Grasshopper

The Field Grasshopper has a straighter leading edge on the forewing and its song is a steady, repetitive series of chirps rather than an accelerating one.

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper

Prefers damper environments and features nearly parallel side-keels on its pronotum, unlike the sharply angled keels of the Bow-winged.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal and are most active during the warmest hours of the day, typically from late morning through late afternoon (10 AM to 5 PM).

Maintain a sun-exposed patch of wild grass and provide 'basking stations' like flat rocks or areas of bare soil where they can warm up.

They are primarily grass-eaters, grazing on various common meadow grasses found in well-drained, sunny environments.

Yes, they are very common in suburban gardens, parks, and roadside verges across Europe, as long as there is ample sunlight and tall grass.

The Bow-winged Grasshopper has a characteristic 'bowed' leading edge on its wing and a song that accelerates in tempo, whereas the Field Grasshopper has a straighter wing and a more consistent, repetitive chirp.

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