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Friday, 10 July 2015

Field Grasshopper - pink female

I returned to Clough Wood this morning to look for the Common Groundhoppers but came across this striking bright pink Field (or Meadow) Grasshopper. 
Apparently the pink colouring is due to a genetic mutation, called erythrism. It is unusual and caused by a recessive gene, similar to albino animals. Its due to a reduction of the normal pigment and over production of a red pigment. 
I never did find the Common Groundhopper as I was distracted by the Marbled White, see below.
Field Grasshopper - female showing erythrism


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