Broad Green-winged Grasshopper

Male Aiolopus strepens. One of the few species of grasshopers you can see at the end of winter. Aiolopus strepens is a species of grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae. It is present in most of Europe, in the Afrotropic ecozone, in the Near East and in North Africa. These grasshoppers overwinter as adults. The colouration of Aiolopus strepens is quite variable. Their sturdy body is usually grey-brown, but sometimes is green or with some green areas or reddish stipes. The tibiae of the hind legs are usually red (see 2nd photo) and the femora are quite robust. The wings are transparent with a black apex. The front wings (tegmina) are dark with clear markings.