De Zadelsprinkhaan (Ephippiger diurnus) als sleutelsoort op de Veluwe en in de Benelux voor droge heide en reptielenhabitat.

Te Saddle-backed bush cricket (Ephippiger diurnus) as a key-species on the Veluwe and in the Benelux, for dry heath areas and reptile-habitat, with some remarks on the Wart-biter (Decticus verrucivorus) and the Steppe spiny bushcricket (Gampsocleis glabra).

Ephippiger diurnus (Fiebig,1787) is one of the most endangered Orthoptera species in Te Netherlands and surrounding countries. In recent years populations are only known from the central Dutch region the Veluwe, heathlands south of the city of Nijmegen. In 1999 several new records from the northern part of the Veluwe became known. Te species was found in older parts of the heath where some shrubs and/or large heather plants were present. Te management of the heath difers between the sites. At the Oldebroekse Heide one of the largest populations of E. diurnus in northwestern Europe is present, as well as a large population of the extremely rare Gampsocleis glabra. In this site the heath is burned regularly, a heath-management which is very rare in the Netherlands nowadays. In the other two sites, heather is cut or sods are cut on a large scale. Ageing of Calluna and wild shoots are hardly tolerated. Te populations of E. diurnus at these two sites are small. E. diurnus is known as a species which can easily be found by its song. From this research it has been concluded, that in larger heathlands with small populations of E. diurnus, the species is not easily found. Te males could only be heard from approximately 25 metres. By using a batdetector it is possible to hear calling males at distances greater than 60-100 metres, if the wind is light to moderate. Te populations of Decticus verrucivorus are in decline. Tis species is expected to be extinct in the Netherlands within 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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