Grasshopper at dawn

by Maarten Trybou

To catch a band-winged grasshopper, you have to get up early. Literally that is: at dawn, you still have a bit of a chance of finding one sitting still - and even posing. But once they warm up, I wish you good luck!

It is a very shy animal that does not let itself be approached easily and jumps away quickly at the slightest suspicious movement. If it doesn't fly away immediately, because it can do that like the best of them! Its wings are very well developed.

Moreover, the band-winged grasshopper is not found everywhere, the species is quite rare. They are found in moist hay meadows, and there are fewer and fewer of them. Curiously, they can also be found in drier grasslands, in high vegetation, but only in regions where there is enough water. Because it is a heat-loving species, it is only widespread in southern Europe, and therefore not in our low countries.

The spring-in-the-field has a straight black side stripe. It makes a nice sport model of this small grasshopper. If the pale green base colour already blends into the vegetation, the stripe 'breaks up' the body once more and completes the camouflage. Good luck in your search!