Common Groundhopper Tetrix undulata

I was at the Decoy Heath reserve again, to photograph damsels when I found some leaf-eating beetles. While I was photographing them I noticed a "bug" a on the (upward pointing) underside of a leaf. It was close to ground so I had to lie on my side.

Only when I saw the rear legs move did I realise that it was some kind of grasshopper. It was tiny and I shot it at about 1:1.

I had never seen this species before, at least not close up. It is a common species in habitats such as heathland, where I found it.

I think it is is a male. The thickly plated appearance of its cuticle is surprising.

Olympus EM-1 (aperture priority), Olympus 4/3 x2 TC, Olympus 4/3 50mm f2 macro, 1/100 or 1/200 at f11, hand-held.

The stereo is crosseye. The third image is a bit soft but it shows the features from above.

Harold