The Common Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus, feeds on the grasses present in dryish meadows, roadside verges, woodland clearings and the like. It becomes very active in hot weather, and is capable of flight.
Not having a special courtship song, the male makes sharp downstrokes of its hind legs causing the spines (see image) to scrape against its wings to produce a chirping noise. In response, a receptive female will also produce a chirp, and these calls will continue between them until they mate.
Egg pods, each containing up to fourteen eggs, are laid just below the surface of the soil and will remain buried overwinter until the following May when the eggs hatch into nymphs. During the following weeks, the nymphs pass through about four moults until finally developing into adults during late June and July; the adults will survive until late autumn.
