How to raise grasshoppers? A detailed explanation of breeding techniques and methods

Grasshoppers, also known as locusts, caused successive locust plagues in some places a few years ago, which had a huge impact on the growth of crops. But now grasshoppers have gradually entered the ranks of large-scale farming, mainly because grasshoppers not only have edible value but also have certain medicinal value. Market demand is growing, and market prospects are broad. Below, let's take a look at the grasshopper breeding techniques that Qinong Net shares with everyone.

1. Site selection

Grasshoppers are a pest for agricultural planting, so the breeding site should be chosen in an area far from crops and fruit planting, with relatively abundant sunlight and good drainage, in sandy loam. Finally, the breeding site should be very quiet, because grasshoppers are very afraid of people and noise. If it is too noisy, they will escape or even refuse to eat. After choosing the site, a breeding shed must be built, about two meters high, and the breeding shed should be disinfected and sterilized.

2. Hatching management

The most important part of grasshopper hatching management is temperature regulation. First, we should gently place the newly purchased grasshopper eggs into the breeding shed, then choose the sunniest spot, level the soil, evenly scatter the grasshopper eggs on it, cover them with fine soil, and control the temperature in the shed at around 25 to 30 degrees. At the same time, fluorescent lamps need to be used for lighting, because a light duration of at least twelve hours per day must be ensured. Generally, hatching is successful in about 10 to 15 days.

3. Larva management

Newly hatched larvae are very fragile, and their food intake is also very small. We can place some fresh corn, wheat, and tender vegetable leaves in the shed, which generally can last until their first molting. After about a week, the small grasshoppers will gradually molt. At this time, their food intake is still not large. At least after they shed their skin three times can it be considered a formal transformation. At this point, we must ensure there is enough food in the shed. One point that needs special attention in larva management is that during molting, they must absolutely not be moved, otherwise the mortality rate is extremely high.

4. Feed management

The breeding cost of grasshoppers is very low. For them, green plants can all be food, so the daily feed is tender grass and tender vegetable leaves. These can basically maintain their normal growth. But if you want the grasshoppers to grow faster and fatter, then you can appropriately add some relatively nutritious foods such as corn kernels, wheat, sorghum, millet, and wheat straw powder.

5. Adult management

It generally takes only one month for grasshoppers to transform from larvae into adults, so during this period we only need to pay attention to the temperature, moisture, and feed in the breeding site. One relatively important thing for adults is mating and laying eggs. It is best to do this when the grasshoppers are around fifteen days old, and during the egg-laying period, the food amount should be controlled, so that the egg-laying rate will increase somewhat.