To investigate how different types of grasslands present in paddy area are affecting the community structure and species diversity of Orthoptera, we surveyed the Orthoptera community and environmental conditions in paddy areas with different Locations and maintenance conditions.

The study areas were chosen from paddy areas in central Japan. In each study area, survey plots were set up on several types of grasslands, including top of paddy levees, slope of paddy levees, vacant lands and forest edges. The Orthoptera community surveys were carried out by using inspection, sweeping and trapping. We also recorded vegetation and soil water content of each plot, and the land usage of whole study site.

As a result, the number of appearance species was 16, and the total population was about 500. The number of species and population were large in mountainous areas and non-consolidated areas. The number of species was increased from previous studies, which were only targeted the top of paddy levees. Three species, which are not recorded in previous studies, were found in this time’s survey, and most of them were unique in vacant lands or forest edges. These results suggest that the grasslands other than paddy levees are also playing an important role in providing local species diversity of Orthoptera.