Perunga Grasshopper (Perunga ochracea)
Description
- The Perunga Grasshopper has a pale cross on its thorax and small wings.
- The colours on its back can change each year. It's usually grey-brown during dry years and greenish during wet years.
- Females are 30 mm long and males about 15 mm long.
- They eat small flowering plants called forbs.
- Although this species has wings, it can't fly but they can jump over 1m.
- Nymphs hatch in late summer and autumn. They develop through winter and in early spring.
- They only live for 12-months.
Find out more about the Perunga Grasshopper on Canberra NatureMapr.
Where are they
- Perunga Grasshopper are mainly found in native dominant grassland including in critically endangered Natural Temperate Grassland.
- They can also be found in open grassy woodland.
- The Perunga lives only in and around Canberra and nearby areas in New South Wales.
- They favour open areas with space between grass tussocks.
Conservation threats
The survival of the Perunga Grasshopper depends on its habitat. Threats to its habitat include:
- clearing of native grassland for urban development or agriculture
- changes from weed invasion, farming, pasture improvement, overgrazing, and too much plant growth
- large natural events like wildfires, droughts, and storms.
Conservation status
- Australian Capital Territory – Endangered (Nature Conservation Act 2014), Special Protection Status Species (Nature Conservation Act 2014).
- National – Under assessment (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Conservation actions
Conservation actions aim to:
- protect the Perunga Grasshopper populations in the ACT
- create a variety of habitats for the grasshopper to live in
- manage mowing, grazing, weed removal, and controlled burning
- improve nearby grasslands to make bigger habitats and connect populations
- work with research institutions and non-government organizations and encourage volunteers to help with conservation.
survey, monitor and research the species
Effectiveness review
In 2023, the ACT Government conducted a 5-year effectiveness review of the Perunga Grasshopper Action Plan.
- More research is needed to understand the Perunga Grasshopper and how many there are.
- Right now, it is only recorded when it is seen during other surveys, because there is no standard way to count it.
- The main way to protect this species is by caring for its habitat. Its long-term survival depends on protecting native grassland and grassy woodland.
Read a 2-page summary of the Perunga Grasshopper review [PDF 448.3 KB] or for the full report, email OfficeofNatureConservation@act.gov.au.