Insects diurnal

Common Field Grasshopper

Chorthippus brunneus

The rhythmic soundtrack of a summer afternoon, the Common Field Grasshopper is a master of camouflage and a true sun-worshipper of the insect world.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Males: 14-18 mm (0.55-0.71 in); Females: 19-25 mm (0.75-0.98 in)

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Colors

Highly variable; ranges from mottled brown, grey, and green to occasional purplish tints. Males often feature a distinctive orange-red tip on the abdomen.

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Key Features

Sharply indented side keels on the pronotum (thorax cover) that curve inward
Hairy 'chest' or underside of the thorax
Long wings that typically extend beyond the tip of the abdomen
Rapid, sharp 'chirp' song consisting of pulses lasting about 0.2 seconds

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 A herbivorous generalist that feeds primarily on a wide variety of grasses, using its chewing mouthparts to clip blades from the edges.

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Habitat Dry, sunny locations with short vegetation, including backyards, meadows, roadside verges, and heathlands.

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Behavior

The Common Field Grasshopper is a quintessential sun-seeker, spending the majority of its day basking to regulate its body temperature. You will most often find them on patches of bare earth, stones, or short grass where the sun's rays are strongest. They are highly active and alert; if approached, they utilize their powerful hind legs to launch into a combination of a long jump and a short, buzzing flight to escape perceived threats.

Socially, they are best known for the males' 'stridulation'—a rhythmic song produced by rubbing the hind legs against the forewings. This isn't just for attracting mates; males often engage in 'song duels' where they alternate chirps with a rival to establish territory. They are solitary insects but will congregate in high numbers in favorable habitats where food and warmth are abundant.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Common Field Grasshopper on an AI camera, you need to change your perspective. These insects are small and low to the ground, so standard trail camera heights won't work. Mount your camera no more than 6 to 12 inches off the ground. The most effective strategy is to focus the lens on a known 'basking spot'—a flat rock, a patch of bare soil, or a garden tile located in full sun. Because they are cold-blooded, they will spend long periods motionless in these spots to warm up, providing the perfect opportunity for a clear shot.

Traditional motion triggers can be hit-or-miss with insects due to their low body mass and heat signature. If your camera has a 'Time-Lapse' or 'PIR+Time-Lapse' mode, use it. Set the interval to take a photo every 1-2 minutes during the peak heat of the day. This increases your chances of catching one in a natural pose. If you are using a smartphone-based AI camera, a macro lens attachment is highly recommended to capture the fine details of the wing venation and the identifying 'hairy' underside.

You can 'bait' an area without using food. Since these grasshoppers crave heat, placing a dark-colored stone or a small piece of slate in a grassy area creates an irresistible thermal 'hot spot' for them. Position your camera facing north toward this spot to ensure the sun is behind the camera, which prevents silhouetting and ensures the vivid mottled patterns of the grasshopper are well-lit and easily identifiable by the AI.

Lastly, pay attention to the audio. If your camera records video, ensure the microphone is shielded from the wind. The 'song' of the Common Field Grasshopper is its most defining characteristic. A clear recording of its rapid, 0.2-second 'ticking' chirps can help verify the species even if the visual is slightly obscured by blades of grass.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Common Field Grasshopper.

Meadow Grasshopper

Usually found in damper, lush grass; females have very short wings and they lack the hairy underside of the Field Grasshopper.

Mottled Grasshopper

Prefer very dry, sandy soil and have distinctively clubbed antennae, which the Common Field Grasshopper lacks.

Bow-winged Grasshopper

Visually nearly identical, but possesses a much longer, more complex song that sounds like a mechanical whirring rather than short chirps.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the warmest hours of the day, typically between 10 AM and 5 PM, as they rely on external heat to move and sing.

The best way to attract them is to provide a mix of habitat: leave some grass long for food and shelter, but provide open, sunny patches of bare soil or flat stones for basking and egg-laying.

They are almost entirely herbivorous, feeding on various common grasses. They are not garden pests and will not damage your vegetables or ornamental flowers.

Yes, they are one of the most common grasshoppers in urban and suburban environments, frequently found in lawns, parks, and even small courtyard gardens.

Look for the sharply inward-curving keels on the thorax and a hairy underside. However, the most reliable way is the song—a series of short, sharp 'ticking' pulses.

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