More than a third of grasshopper and cricket species in Switzerland are under threat, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Swiss Environment Office.

The species most affected are those living in floodplains, upland moors and swamps.

Of the 105 types examined, 40 have been placed on the red list of endangered species. Three have already died out in Switzerland, and ten are on the verge of extinction.

Species which were already seriously endangered at the time of the last investigation in 1994 are those whose situation has worsened the most.

Grasshoppers and crickets are particularly sensitive to changes in their habitat and are therefore regarded as useful indicators of the state of biodiversity.

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