Lagomorph grazing alters suitability of hillside grassland for Orthoptera

Abstract

The effects of lagomorph grazing on the Orthoptera of a small hill at Lound Lakes (Suffolk, UK) were studied during the summer of 2020. The transect counts of Orthoptera revealed low sward height due to high rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) grazing on the high slopes which led to the general absence of tall grass species such as the Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Roesel's Bush-cricket Roeseliana roeselii (Hagenbach, 1822). Only nymphs and Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg, 1815) adults were found in any number on the higher slopes, perhaps utilising the short swards and bare earth as basking habitat. The lower slopes and pastures supported tall-grass Orthoptera due to the absence of rabbit grazing and tussocky grassland.