Tara Murray - Protecting our native grasshoppers

Nationally Endangered female robust grasshopper in her natural environment.credit: Tara Murray

DOC staff release robust grasshopper in to an experimental translocation plot near at the Kakī aviary complex near Twizel. - credit: Tara Murray

Capped predator proof ZIP fence built in collaboration with Te Manahuna Aoraki. At 1.2 m high the fence is designed to keep out hedgehogs, mice, rats and mustelids, but not cats.- credit: Tara Murray

The predator proof fence protects a 200m long section of a 5m wide gravel road where the most intensively studied population of the robust grasshopper has taken up residence.- credit: Tara Murray

Attaching a transmitter to an adult robust grasshopper to track movements and habitat use in the wild.credit: Tara Murray

Robust grasshopper female laying eggs in a sand tray in the lab.credit: Tara Murray

Male (small) and female (large) robust grasshopper with blue paint marks to allow identification of individuals to monitor survival following an experimental translocation. credit: Tara Murray

The tiny Sigaus minutus (At Risk – Declining) comes in a range of colours from drab brown to bright yellow and green blending in with the lichens and small plants in arid parts of the Mackenzie Basin. credit: Tara Murray

Adult female robust grasshopper with transmitter attached to track movement in the wild.credit: Tara Murray

Sigaus childi, another NZ endemic grasshopper equally adapted to blend in with its environment is found near Alexandra and classified At Risk – Naturally Uncommon. credit: Tara Murray

Sigaus homerensis is the most threatened NZ grasshopper (Nationally Critical) credit: Tara Murray

PhD student Jennifer Schori monitoring the robust grasshopper using ‘the grasshopper walk’ which involves slowly waving a foot above the ground to make grasshoppers jump so they can be spotted. credit: Tara Murray

Weeds encroaching on the robust grasshopper’s braided river habitat, and pressure from predators like hedgehogs, are considered the greatest threats to the species survival.credit: Tara Murray