Secondary grasslands in the Mecsek and Baranya Hills as bushcricket (Orthoptera, Isophya) habitats
Abstract
There are 4 bushcricket species in the Mecsek and Baranya Hills: the strictly protected Isophya costata and the protected I. brevipennis, I. modesta, I. modestior. They are sensitive to disturbances, and prefer natural, seminatural grasslands with total cover and multiple-layer structure. We found bushcrickets in 64 localities (53% were secondary grasslands). The characteristics of these grasslands (floristical composition, abundance of food plants, cover, structure, disturbances, management) have been investigated. Disturbance tolerant plants, generalists and weeds were dominant. The food plants were present on every site. Grassland structure is very important for bushcrickets, they did not occur in open habitats with short grasses. Grasslands managed with synthetic fertilizers were not favoured by them. We conclude that the persistence of grasshoppers in secondary grasslands depends on traditional management (burning by the end of winter, moderate grazing, mowing) or on abandonment.
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