It uses the method known as “Capture – marking – recapture”, which makes it possible to estimate the size of a population in relation to the number of individuals recaptured, i.e. individuals observed several times.
This year, this action concerns two sites where the grasshopper is present in the commune of Istres.
In the field, this translates into 16 observation and capture sessions, where three observers, for three hours, make random movements within a defined perimeter.
This is a tedious operation, as this grasshopper is a specialist in camouflage!
Each individual captured – very carefully – is dried, numbered with an indelible marker on the thorax, and carefully observed for possible parasites on its body. If it is a female, the observers also try to determine whether it is “full” of eggs (in which case its abdomen is well swollen), or whether it has already laid eggs (its abdomen is then retracted).
For this work, the LIFE project team is reinforced by two trainees from the University of Trier within the framework of our cooperation with Axel HOCHKIRCH, professor of the university and president of the IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group: Larissa BRANDL and Chiara HILLE, students in Biological Environmental Sciences. Thanks to them, who are working hard, despite the scorching temperatures of the Coussoul in this month of June!
LIFE SOS Crau Grasshopper proudly represented at the 2022 Médoc Marathon
Published: Septembre 22 2022
On Saturday 10 September, the coordinator of the LIFE SOS Crau Grasshopper programme – Lisbeth Zechner – took advantage of an original setting to honour our Crau Plain Grasshopper: the
Cathy Gibault, veterinarian dedicated to the Crau Plain Grasshopper
Published: Septembre 19 2022
Cathy Gibault is a veterinarian who has worked for more than 15 years in zoos on conservation programmes for threatened species. Since 2014, she has been contributing to the improvement of knowledge about the Crau Plain Grasshopper. Today ...
On 13, 14 & 15 August, the Citadelle of Besançon is organising a great weekend for the conservation of fauna and flora. On the programme: a conference on the Crau Plain Grasshopper.