Blue-winged Grasshopper
Oedipoda caerulescens
The blue-winged grasshopper, Oedipoda caerulescens, is a grasshopper in the genus Oedipoda.
59
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipoda_caerulescens
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Orthoptera
Family
Acrididae
Genus
Oedipoda
Blue-winged Grasshopper belongs to the family Acrididae, order Orthoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The blue-winged grasshopper, Oedipoda caerulescens, is a grasshopper in the genus Oedipoda.
The Blue-winged Grasshopper faces significant population declines across its European range due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized dry grassland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have fragmented and reduced the quality of the calcareous grasslands and rocky slopes this species requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dry calcareous grasslands, rocky slopes, quarries, and sparsely vegetated areas with exposed soil and stones, typically in warm, sunny locations at various elevations. The species requires areas with short vegetation and bare ground patches for thermoregulation and breeding.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Abandonment of traditional grazing leading to habitat succession
Climate change affecting suitable habitat availability
Habitat fragmentation isolating populations
Found in 59 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blue-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blue-winged-grasshopper