Steppe grasshopper
EN

Steppe grasshopper

Chorthippus dorsatus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorthippus_dorsatus

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Steppe grasshopper faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and conversion of natural grasslands to cropland across its European range. Overgrazing by livestock has degraded remaining steppe habitats, while the widespread use of pesticides in agricultural areas directly impacts both adult grasshoppers and their food plants. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns in steppe regions, affecting the timing of vegetation growth that this species depends on for reproduction and survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Chorthippus dorsatus inhabits dry steppe grasslands, semi-natural pastures, and xerophytic meadows across eastern and southeastern Europe. The species requires areas with sparse to moderate vegetation cover, favoring sites with a mosaic of bare ground and low-growing grasses typical of continental steppe ecosystems.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Acrididae

Mottled GrasshopperVU

Mottled Grasshopper

Myrmeleotettix maculatus

Unknown
water-meadow grasshopperVU

water-meadow grasshopper

Chorthippus montanus

Unknown
lesser field grasshopperVU

lesser field grasshopper

Chorthippus mollis

Unknown
Large Marsh GrasshopperVU

Large Marsh Grasshopper

Stethophyma grossum

Unknown

Threatened in Albania

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
CR

Struga Trout

Salmo balcanicus

Unknown
EN

Niceforonia adenobrachia

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Steppe grasshopper classified as Endangered?
Steppe grasshopper is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Steppe grasshopper faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and conversion of natural grasslands to cropland across its European range. Overgrazing by livestock has degraded remaining steppe habitats, while the widespread use of pesticides in agricultural areas directly impacts both adult grasshoppers and their food plants. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns in steppe regions, affecting the timing of vegetation growth that this species depends on for reproduction and survival.
Where does Steppe grasshopper live?
Steppe grasshopper occurs in Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, and Bosnia & Herzegovina (plus 37 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Steppe grasshopper?
The main threats to Steppe grasshopper are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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