ORTHOPTERA

We work with the little creatures jumbing under our feet, with a special focus on the endemic and endangered species of Greece. We run several projects on their distribution patterns, ecology and on the management and restoration of their habitats. Projects: DEMO, LAC2 & LAC , WILLEMSORUM, OITI, PARNO, PINS. Previous projects: LACON, TZIN, INSECTA.2

  • DEMO-Distribution patterns and ecology of three mountainous endemic and endangered Orthoptera species of Greece
P. tymphrestos (@ K-G.Heller)

Goal: Building the ecological knowledge base needed for assessing the conservation status of three steno-endemic and globally threatened high-altitude Orthoptera species of Greece of the genus Parnassiana: P. parnassica (CR), P. tymphrestos (EN) and P. coracis (VU). The project covers their global distribution area and attempts to solve taxonomic problems, map the global distribution of the species, investigate the species’ habitat requirements, assess their population status and threats and conclude with conservation management suggestions. Period: 2023-2024. Funding: Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation (NECCA). Coordinator: BCL. *Distinction: was ranked in the first position of funding under HFRI open call N51255 4/7/2022

  • LAC2-Monitoring and assessment of the conservation status of Chorthippus lacustris

Ch.lacustris (@V.Kati)

Goal: Assess the conservation status of the Epirus dancing grasshopper (Chorthippus lacustris), a Critically Endangered and endemic species, in the Natura 2000 sites of Epirus Management Unit (GR2120003, GR2120001, GR2120002) and suggest conservation measures for its status improvement. Period: 2023. Funding: Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.). Coordinator: BCL.

  • LAC-Conservation management of the endemic species Chorthippus lacustris

Ch.lacustris (@V.Kati)

Goal: Study of the ecological requirements of the Epirus dancing grasshopper (Chorthippus lacustris), a Critically Endangered and endemic species and draft an action plan to restore its populations and improve its conservation status in the basin of Pamvotis Lake. The project includes the implementation of the conservation actions proposed and the assessment of their success through monitoring for the species. LAC is implemented in collaboration with the staff of the Management Agency of Pamvotis Lake. Period: 2021-2023. Funding: Management Agency of Pamvotis Lake (NECCA). Coordinator: BCL

  • WILLEMSORUM- Ecology and conservation of Willemses’ Stone Grasshopper (EN) in Greece

P. willemsorum (@V.Kati)

Goal: The project aims at increasing our scientific knowledge on the conservation status of Willemses’ Stone Grasshopper (Prionotropis willemsorum). It maps the species distribution, explores its habitat requirements, evaluates pressures and threats, and updates its conservation status under IUCN criteria. WILLEMSORUM will report on suggested conservation measures that should be implemented to improve the conservation status of the species. Period: 2022-2023. Funding: Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (4.336,26€ grant for travel expenses and equipment/consumables).

WILLEMSORUM on MBZ Conservation Fund website

  • OITI- Investigating the endemic and threatened entomofauna in Oiti and Tymphristos
O. tymphrestosi (@. A Stefanidis)

Goal: Study the distribution and ecological requirements of fourteen important grasshoppers in the mountains of Oiti and Tymphristos and suggestion of conservation measures for two species that are both endemic and endangered (EN) – Parnassiana tymphrestos and Oropodisma tymphrestosi. Period: 2021-2022. Funding: Management Agency of Oiti National Park (NECCA). Coordinator: BCL. 

Final report available in RG (in Greek)

  • PARNO-Improving the knowledge of Parnassos’ endemic and threatened entomofauna
G. obtusus (@V.Kati)

Goal: Study of the distribution and ecological requirements of eleven important grasshopper species in Parnassos National Park and proposal of conservation measures for four endemic and endangered species: Parnassiana parnassica (CR), Oropodisma parnassica (EN), Stenobothrus graecus (GR), Glyphanus obtusus (GR). Period: 2021-2022. Funding: Management Agency of Parnassos National Park. Coordinator: BCL.

  • PINS-Monitoring and improving the knowledge of the endemic and threatened entomofauna in the area of the MA of Lake Pamvotis
D. graeca (@ O. Tzortzakaki)

Goal: Study of the distribution and ecological requirements of important butterfly and grasshopper species in Mitsikeli and Nemertsika mountains and the broader area (Ioannina, Pogoni). PINS focused on the endemic cave-cricket of Perama cave Dolichopoda graeca, and other important grasshopper species such as the species of Community interest Paracaloptenus caloptenoides and the endemic and endangered species Pryonotropis willemsorum. The study concludes to a spatial database and data on the species ecological requirements with concrete conservation measure suggestions where applicable.  Period: 2021-2023.Funding: Management Agency of Pamvotis Lake (NECCA). Coordinator: BCL. [PINS also under BUTTERFLIES].