Several key techniques that must be mastered in locust farming

Speaking of locusts, perhaps many people do not know them particularly well; they only know it is a kind of insect, and its specific effects and functions may not be very clear. In fact, locusts have very high value and nutritional value, and they contain a rich protein content. In some places they are a delicious dish.

What are locusts

Locusts are the collective name for insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera of the class Insecta, commonly known as grasshoppers. Locusts have rich nutritional value and are a high-quality food. At the same time, they can also be used as medicine and are a high-protein animal feed. Therefore, this pest that has brought huge disasters to mankind for thousands of years has suddenly become very friendly and lovely, and people have begun to farm locusts one after another. Many locust farmers have sprung up across the country like bamboo shoots after rain, and locust farming is in the ascendant. Against this background, many articles on locust farming techniques have appeared in newspapers. But the author found that many articles speak about locust farming techniques in general terms, with insufficient emphasis on the key points, and even some details are not very accurate. Therefore, this article intends to explain several key links in locust farming, in the hope of being helpful to the majority of locust farmers.

Selection and identification of locust seed sources for farming

More than 10,000 species of locusts are known worldwide, and there are more than about 1,000 species in China, but only a few of them can be farmed, and many farmed species are very difficult to distinguish by external morphology alone. Therefore, whether collecting from the wild or purchasing for introduction, farmers must carefully identify the seed insects and clarify the species of locust. Doing so, first, is to conform to the species ordered by customers. Second, it ensures that the introduced insect species conforms to the local climate conditions, making farming easy to succeed. Third, it can obtain the greatest farming benefit.

The methods for determining locust species are:

① Consult locust taxonomy experts

② Consult locust identification keys or illustrated guides.

③ Consult experienced locust farmers.

④ Send locust seeds to customers for identification and review, etc.

Common species of farmed locusts include: East Asian migratory locust, cotton locust, Chinese rice locust, Chinese grasshopper, etc. These varieties each have advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as their growth cycle, number of generations, taste, feed, body size, and the varieties required by customers, and select farming varieties in combination with local climate, feed sources, and other conditions.

Construction of locust farming sheds

① The shape of the farming shed is not restricted; a rectangular frame structure or an arched or trapezoidal vegetable greenhouse-style farming shed are all acceptable, and it can be adopted flexibly according to one's existing conditions, but generally a rectangular farming shed is best.

② Bricks, wooden poles, bamboo poles, steel pipes, and other materials can all be used to build the farming shed. The principle is to conform to one's own economic strength, make full use of existing materials, and at the same time be sturdy and durable.

③ The gauze net material used as the shed cover must be strong and must not have gaps. The mesh count of the gauze net must be appropriate, and the holes must not be too large, otherwise it will lead to the escape of young nymphs.

④ The farming shed is generally 1.5-2 m high, and a door must be left on the gauze net on one side to facilitate entry and exit for management. The door can be left using a zipper, adhesive tape, door frame, etc. A zipper is generally commonly used. The principle is that it is convenient for people to enter and exit without causing locusts to escape.

⑤ To keep warm or prevent rain, plastic sheeting can be covered outside the shed. When the temperature is high and the locusts are relatively large (above the 3rd instar) and not afraid of rain, the plastic sheeting may be omitted.

⑥ If using natural conditions to farm migratory locusts, the construction of the shed must be completed before the end of April, because locust eggs in the north generally hatch in May.

⑦ Choose a ventilated place with sufficient sunlight for the shed site, as this is beneficial to the growth and development of locusts.

⑧ Before building the shed, all natural enemies of locusts on the ground, such as ants and mole crickets, must first be eliminated by methods such as catching, trapping and killing, and scalding with boiling water. This is the foundation for successful locust farming.

⑨ To facilitate drainage in the rainy season, the ground inside the shed must be 10-15 cm higher than the surrounding ground.

⑩ The soil quality is best if sandy loam is used. This soil is not easy to clump, which is convenient for laying eggs and collecting eggs, but it must not be too soft. Locusts have very high requirements for laying eggs.

⑾ Before introducing seeds, crops such as wheat, corn, and sorghum should be planted on the ground inside the shed to prepare food for locust nymphs. It is best to retain or plant some taller plants inside the shed as habitat for locusts, to facilitate their molting, eclosion, etc. At the same time, they can also serve as isolation objects to avoid cannibalism among locusts.

⑿ The area of the shed depends on the number of locusts. Generally, about 300 adults can be farmed per sq m.

Management of locusts during the nymph stage

① Locust nymphs have a very small food intake and like to eat fresh tender plants. During this period, locusts are very frail, and attention should be paid to preventing rain to avoid drowning the locust nymphs.

② The temperature is best controlled at 25-30°C, light for more than 12 hours, and humidity maintained at about 15%. Under these conditions, locusts are most active, fond of eating, and favorable for growth.

③ Locust nymphs above the third instar gradually increase their food intake. At this time, it is necessary to ensure sufficient food in the shed, otherwise it will affect their normal growth and also lead to cannibalism.

④ Keep the shed clean and clean the shed once every 1-2 days to prevent disease occurrence.

Locust farming may not be particularly common in China, because many people do not have a very comprehensive understanding of its value. Therefore, the locust farming market still has a lot of room to be tapped, and farmers can work well to develop the market demand for locusts.