Large marsh grasshopper

The large marsh grasshopper is a yellow-green field grasshopper that is easily recognised by the yellow-red-black coloration on its hind legs. Marsh grasshoppers are typical species of wet, textured vegetation where there is an alternation of shorter and longer vegetation. A combination of wet grasslands, moist shrubland and sedge vegetation is ideal for this species.

Mowing in June and July is disastrous however, as this removes all young grasshoppers. Good management consists of phased and ‘messy’ mowing from the end of August or later. This results in a mosaic of high and low vegetation. Extensive grazing can also provide this rich structural variation.