A Detailed Guide to Artificial Breeding Techniques and Methods for Cicadas

At the mention of cicadas, surely everyone is familiar with them; they are the commonly seen "zhi liao hou" (cicada nymphs) in daily life. Because of their high economic value, more and more people have started breeding them. So what artificial breeding techniques for cicadas are there?

1. Preparations before cicada breeding:

1. Feed supply

First, breeding cicadas is different from breeding other things, because while breeding cicadas we also need to grow trees, since cicadas survive by parasitizing trees and mainly live by sucking tree sap. Trees with well-developed root systems and good year-round growth can all be used as feed sources. Poplar is a relatively good tree for raising cicadas, and some other fruit trees can also be used as their feed. Besides these, potatoes and such can also be used; all are very nutritious feed sources.

2. Environmental conditions

Cicadas do not have high requirements for their growing environment. Generally, a soil depth of 30-50 cm is best for cicadas, and it is best to face the direction of the sun, which is very beneficial for preventing freezing. In addition, the growing soil should be soft and loose, with good air permeability and drainage, and the soil should have its natural water content. In winter, more other crops can be planted, which can ensure the temperature in the field, ensure normal field temperature, and prevent frost damage.

3. Disease prevention preparations

Because a cicada that has just emerged from the soil is very fragile, and before it has molted, it has many natural enemies during these two stages. For example, toads and snakes that often appear in fields pose a threat to its growth. Not only these, but sometimes sparrows and some wild cats and other animals will also eat it, and some microorganisms will also parasitize on its body. Cicadas are also not suitable for pesticide application, as many pesticides contain ingredients harmful to cicadas. So when problems arise, try to solve them with physical methods if possible, and only resort to chemical weapons for control if there is truly no other way.

2. Artificial breeding techniques for cicadas:

1. Obtaining seed sources

For primary seed sources, we can obtain them through natural collection in the field. Usually, some adults or eggs can be collected in the field. Autumn in the second half of the year is the best season for collecting insect eggs; at this time we can look for some seed sources on branches and on the soil surface.

2. Breeding and planting

Breeding and planting refers to preparing cicada eggs for hatching. We can collect together some branches carrying eggs gathered from the field or the breeding farm and place them in a breeding room for centralized breeding, which is more convenient. Usually, observe more and carefully check the hatching situation of the cicada eggs.

3. Harvesting and processing

June each year is the best time to harvest cicadas, and centralized harvesting can be carried out until August. Harvesting is especially best after rain, when some nymphs will crawl out from the newly moistened soft soil and then climb onto some branches for a short period of activity. Because they like to be active at night, we can use flashlights to harvest them at night.

Overall, golden cicadas are still quite easy to breed artificially. As long as you collect the insect eggs well, build the gauze net greenhouse well, make the preparations before breeding well, then place the collected insect eggs into the greenhouse, and do a good job in feeding, natural enemy control, and other work, it will be fine.