Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points for the Gold-Banded Ground Beetle
The gold-banded ground beetle is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal material. In recent years, the supply of gold-banded ground beetles has been severely insufficient, and prices have risen. Therefore, the market prospects for artificial breeding of gold-banded ground beetles are broad. So, what are the breeding methods for gold-banded ground beetles?
1. Rearing methods
For artificial rearing of gold-banded ground beetles, a good environment suitable for their growth and development must be created artificially. The rearing methods are varied and can be divided into two categories: indoor and outdoor rearing. These include jar rearing, pond rearing, multi-tier rearing, suspended cage rearing, rearing-house rearing, and ant-proof floating rearing houses. When first raising ground beetles, it is better to adopt a combination of jar rearing and pond rearing, and a combination of indoor and outdoor methods.
The following mainly introduces jar rearing and pond rearing methods: Jar rearing method. After washing and disinfecting the jar, place 3 cun of sandy soil in the jar. On the sand surface, build a square frame with wooden boards, place tiles on the frame, then put in the ground beetles, and cover the jar mouth tightly with gauze to prevent enemies and the ground beetles from escaping; Pond rearing method. Materials should be adapted to local conditions, and the volume depends on the breeding quantity. The pond height should preferably be 70-100cm, and the pond bottom should have a 20-30 degree slope to facilitate drainage. Drainage holes must be sealed with wire mesh, and the top perimeter of the pond should be covered with 20-30cm wide glass to prevent enemies and escape.
2. Feed placement
The gold-banded ground beetle has omnivorous feeding habits, but those with an alkaline or sweet taste are preferred. From practical observation, the ratio and timing of placing concentrated feed and green feed have a direct impact on the development, growth, reproduction, and disease occurrence of ground beetles. If only concentrated feed is given without green feed and water, the nymphs will delay molting and grow slowly. If only green feed is given without concentrated feed, they are prone to gastrointestinal diseases.
3. Separate pond rearing
When rearing gold-banded ground beetles, whether by jar rearing, pond rearing, or other methods, large, medium, and small ones must always be reared separately. If not reared separately, competition for food will occur. When feed is insufficient, they will cannibalize each other, with the large ones biting and eating the small ones.
4. Actively prevent and control diseases and natural enemies
The gold-banded ground beetle has relatively poor resistance to natural enemies, and many animals and insects often feed on ground beetles. Common natural enemies include: ants, rats, geckos, toads, and poultry. Attention should be paid to prevention in normal times. Particular vigilance should be paid to ants, which are the most difficult natural enemy of ground beetles to guard against. If ant damage is found, immediately clean the jars and ponds, thoroughly eliminate the ants inside the jars and ponds, and block the ant holes; apply a 3cm-6cm wide band of petroleum jelly around the jars and ponds, and scatter a small amount of lime powder beside the jars and ponds. Once there is ant damage, insecticide must never be used, otherwise it will cause both the ants and the ground beetles to die at the same time.
Ground beetles often suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, with symptoms including decreased appetite, slow activity, diarrhea, physical weakness, and death of female beetles due to miscarriage or difficult labor. If such symptoms are seen, the jars and ponds should be cleaned promptly, the dry sand, tiles, and bamboo tubes should be replaced, and some dry feed with a slightly alkaline nature should be placed, such as tea leaf residue and Chinese olive leaves. During disease outbreaks, green feed such as fresh lettuce leaves, pumpkin flowers, and castor leaves must absolutely not be fed, otherwise it will cause mass death.
Breeding gold-banded ground beetles is not easy, so everyone must be careful and meticulous during the feeding process.