Omocestus rufipes

{{short description|Species of grasshopper}}

{{Speciesbox

|taxon=Omocestus rufipes

|authority=(Zetterstedt, 1821)

|image=Acrididae - Omocestus rufipes-male.jpg

|image_caption=Male

|image2=Acrididae - Omocestus rufipes.JPG

|image2_caption=Female

|range_map=

|range_map_caption=

|synonyms_ref=[https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id292/ Biolib]{{better source|date=December 2018}}

|synonyms={{collapsible list|bullets=true

|Chorthippus zetterstedti Fieber, 1852

|Acridium viridulum (Welmael, 1838)

|Gryllus rufipes Zetterstedt, 1821

|Locusta miniata Stephens, 1835

|Oedipoda cruentata Brullé, 1832 }}

}}

File:Omocestus rufipes -- Buntbäuchiger Grashüpfer.webm

Omocestus rufipes, the woodland grasshopper,{{cite book|title=Grasshoppers, Crickets & Cockroaches of the British Isles |author=Ragge DR|year=1965|publisher=F Warne & Co, London|pages=299}} is a species of short-horned grasshopper belonging to subfamily Gomphocerinae. The Latin species name rufipes means red-footed, from rufus (red) + pes (foot), with reference to the color of the legs.

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, in North Africa, and in the Near East.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019181028/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=402488 Fauna europaea] In the British Isles this species is restricted to southern EnglandMarshall JA, Haes ECM (1988) Grasshoppers and allied Insects of Great Britain and Ireland Harley Books, Colchester. 254 S. (see map).

These grasshoppers inhabit meadows, grasslands and sunny clearings in woodlands.

Description

The adult males of Omocestus rufipes grow up to {{convert|11|-|17|mm}} long, while the females reach {{convert|13|-|22|mm}} in length.[http://www1.osu.cz/orthoptera/druhy/omo_ruf.htm Ostravské univerzity {{in lang|cs}}]

The basic coloration of the body varies from light brown to blackish. The dorsal side is usually beige in males, brown or green in females. Pronotum has a white edge. The hindwings are dark in their rear half in the male as in the female. In mature adults the underside of the apex of the abdomen is reddish or orange.

The apex of the maxillary palps is almost white. In males the tip of the abdomen is red. The males always show red rear tibias and often red rear femurs.[http://www.fungalpunknature.co.uk/Orthoptera/WoodlandGrasshopper.html Fungal Punk Nature]

Biology

They can be encountered from early June through late October. They mainly feed on grasses and various herbaceous plants.

Eggs are laid in clusters just below the surface of the soil or in the roots of plants. Nymphs appear in April or May.

Gallery

File:Acrididae - Omocestus rufipes-1.JPG|Dorsal view

File:Omocestus rufipes male (3830930256).jpg|Ventral view

File:Omocestus ventralisDSC07686.jpg|Male

File:Omocestus ventralisDSC09002.jpg|Female

{{Listen |filename=Omocestus rufipes - sound.oga|title=Sound of Omocestus rufipes |description=Field recording in the Netherlands 29s}}

References

{{Commons category}}{{Reflist}}

  • Nunner, A. (1998): Omocestus rufipes – Buntbäuchiger Grashüpfer. In: Detzel, P.: Die Heuschrecken Baden-Württembergs. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 420–427 S

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2381053}}

rufipes

Category:Insects described in 1821

Category:Orthoptera of Europe