Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper
This distinctive grasshopper is flightless and has a long, stretched body shape.
The Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper had not been seen in Victoria for decades; However, excitingly a small number of isolated populations have now been detected in the north-east of the State. It also has a handful of remaining populations in southern NSW and the ACT.
Major threats
The Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper is found in habitat dominated by a tall perennial grass. It doesn’t eat the grass, but probably relies on it for protection from predators and extremes of weather. As this habitat is within south-eastern Australia’s wheat and grazing belt, almost none remains.
The plan for fighting extinction
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are working to discover more about the remaining and extinct grasshopper populations.
Zoos Victoria is supporting this research and is undertaking field surveys to identify any remaining Victorian populations. We are also investigating habitat needs. There is a plan to refine methods for captive breeding and re-introducing the Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper to the wild.
How you can help
- Do what you can to increase community awareness and support for the Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper.
- Visiting our zoos supports our work to fight extinction.
- Donate if you can. As a not-for-profit organisation, all donations go towards our important conservation efforts.
- Discover more about local conservation events and join the growing number of activists taking action for local wildlife.
Is your classroom learning about the Key's Matchstick Grasshopper?
Browse through our collection of animal teaching and learning resources for students. These include animal toolkits, e-books, Ask a Zoo Expert resources, video showcases and real-world examples to support the VCE Study Design.
