not birds ...Googong grasshopper query

["Peter Ormay" <>]

These have been a common grasshopper around the Canberra region since forever, at least since the mid ‘50s. Their yellow wing flashes and clicks as they fly are a typical feature of walking in grassland on hot summer days in the district.

Peter

 

From: Harvey Perkins [
Sent: Sunday, 5 January 2014 9:22 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] not birds ...Googong grasshopper query

 

I agree with Steve that it is a Yellow-winged grasshopper (or locust) Gastrimargus musicus. There were lots of them at Uriarra Crossing yesterday too, sufficient that I included a brief comment about them in just my second posting on my brand new blog which ended up being more about insects than the birds I was looking for.

 

Cheers

 

Harvey

http://hdpphd.blogspot.com.au/

 

On 5 January 2014 16:35, Steve Holliday <m("iinet.net.au","pruesteve");" target="_blank">> wrote:

Hi Robin

 

Looks like Yellow-winged Locust (Gastrimargus musicus), see http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_grasshoppers/YellowWinged.htm

 

A widespread and common species in eastern and northern Australia. They occasionally occur in plague numbers – this might be a big season for them. They also come in a brown morph.

 

Steve

 

From: Robin Hide [mailto:m("anu.edu.au","robin.hide");" target="_blank">]
Sent: Sunday, 5 January 2014 3:20 PM
To: Canberra Birds (m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");" target="_blank">)
Subject: [canberrabirds] not birds ...Googong grasshopper query

 

Yesterday walking along the grassy western foreshore at the northern end of Googong every step saw tens/hundreds of these grasshoppers (about 30-40 mm in length) take dramatically to the air, with a few flying into ones face etc.

Any suggestions re identification?

 

 

Few birds seen - Pipits, White-faced Herons, and on the water, coots and a few  gulls.

 

Robin Hide