How to raise edible locusts? Detailed explanation of breeding technology steps and precautions

With the development of society, locusts are no longer merely pests in the traditional sense. As an insect used both as medicine and food, locusts have quickly become the darling of the breeding industry.How should the technical breeding of edible locusts be carried out?What precautions are there? Let us explain it to you in detail.

I. The value of edible locusts

With rapid changes, people's quality of life and awareness are also constantly improving. What can now appear on the human dining table is not only the traditional chicken, duck, fish and meat; green wild game is also deeply favored by everyone. Dishes made from locusts, moreover, have earned the laudatory name “flying shrimp” because they rival shrimp in nutrition, taste and meat quality, and have become a delicacy enjoyed by people of various countries. The “insect banquet” at which the United States entertains distinguished guests is even more inseparable from locusts. Against this background, the locust market is becoming broader and broader, with great economic value.

II. Technical breeding steps for edible locusts

1. Selection of locust breeding species

Locusts are insects used both as medicine and food, and they are oviparous. Among the 859 species of locusts, there are mainly two that can be used as medicine and for food, namely the Oriental migratory locust and the Chinese rice locust. Generally, the Oriental migratory locust is the main one. Taking the Oriental migratory locust as an example, under natural temperature conditions the Oriental migratory locust has two generations a year, divided into summer locusts and autumn locusts. This locust is relatively large in size, has a wide food range and strong adaptability. From young locust to adult, it takes only about one month, after which it can be fattened and sold.

2. Management of the breeding shed

First, we need to understand that the main natural enemies of locusts are ants and mole crickets. Therefore, before building the shed, it is necessary to ensure that no natural enemies exist. The shed should be built in a ventilated place with sunlight. The foundation should be about 10—15 cm above ground, using sandy loam soil that does not easily clump. The built area is determined according to the number being raised.

3. Locust rearing management

Some start locust breeding by buying breeder insects or larvae, and some directly buy eggs.

(1) Care of locust eggs. For those starting cultivation from eggs, you must first understand that locust eggs can hatch when the temperature reaches 25—30 °C. Mix non-toxic soil and sawdust in a 2:1 ratio, keep the soil moisture at 10—15%, lay the soil and eggs in a container in the order of soil, eggs, soil, and finally cover with film. Pay attention to checking; when locusts appear, use a soft brush to gently move them onto the food prepared in advance. The hatching of locust eggs takes about half a month. The food prepared for young locusts is mainly fresh and tender wheat seedlings, corn seedlings, weeds, etc.

(2) Rearing of young locusts. Young locusts molt once every 5—7 days after emerging from the egg; each molt counts as one instar. Newly molted young locusts must be protected from water, need suitable temperature, more than ten hours of light, and humidity kept at about 15%. After molting three times, locusts gradually increase their food intake; at this time, sufficient food must be ensured for the young locusts. Avoid causing them to eat each other and affect development. After molting five times, locusts grow into adults. More than ten days after emergence, they enter the sexual maturity period and begin mating. After leaving the locusts to be kept as breeding stock, all the rest are sold.

(3) Management of adults before and after egg laying. After mating, the female locust's abdomen gradually becomes thick and long, and its yellow-brown color deepens, while the male locust appears bright yellow. The egg pods of the Oriental migratory locust are brown, slightly cylindrical, slightly curved in the middle, about 40 to 70 mm in size, with each pod containing about 60—120 eggs.

III. Precautions

1. Locusts are a special type of breeding. If there is no reliable sales channel, investment must be made cautiously, and do not blindly follow the trend.

2. The food prepared for locusts should be collected according to the species of locust being raised. Do not use food with pesticides, otherwise it will cause large numbers of locust deaths.

3. During the breeding process, not only should attention be paid to preventing invasion by locust natural enemies, but disease problems in the breeding shed should also be controlled, and dead insects removed promptly.

4. Sell locusts that are not kept as breeding stock as soon as possible.

5. Throughout the entire breeding process, attention must be paid to waterproofing.

6. In summer, pay attention to high temperatures and take shading measures promptly.

7. For long-term breeding, attention must be paid to replacing the breeding source, otherwise variety degeneration will occur.

As a special breeding project, locust breeding has both benefits and risks. We hope the information brought by this article can provide everyone with a good reference when making investments.