Detailed Explanation of the Latest Artificial Breeding Techniques for Cicadas

With the rapid development of the breeding industry in recent years, major breeding operations have become increasingly commercialized and large-scale, attracting many farmers to join in. The cicada is a treasure from head to toe, and today the most widely used part is its shed shell (cicada slough), which is applied extensively in various fields, especially in the pharmaceutical world. So below, the editor will explain the latest artificial breeding techniques for cicadas!

I. Breeding Preparation

1. Feed Supply

First of all, 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. For example, the poplar is a relatively good tree for raising cicadas, and some other fruit trees can also be used as their feed. In addition, potatoes and similar plants can also be used; they are all highly nutritious feed sources.

2. Environmental Conditions

Cicadas do not have high requirements for their growing environment. Generally speaking, the best soil depth for cicadas is within 30-50 cm, and it is best if the slope faces the sun, which is very helpful for preventing freezing. In addition, the soil for growth should be soft and loose, with good air permeability and drainage, and the soil should have its natural moisture content. In winter, more other crops can be planted, which can ensure the temperature in the field, maintain normal field temperatures, and prevent freeze damage.

3. Disease Prevention Preparation

Because a cicada that has just emerged from the soil is very fragile, and before it has completed eclosion, it has many natural enemies during these two stages. Toads and snakes that often appear in fields pose a threat to its growth, and beyond these, sparrows and some wild cats and other animals will also eat it, and some microorganisms will also parasitize on its body. Cicadas are also unsuitable for pesticide application, as many pesticides contain ingredients harmful to cicadas. Therefore, when problems arise, use physical methods to solve them whenever possible, and only resort to chemical means for prevention and control when absolutely necessary.

4. Breeding Techniques

For professional breeding and cultivation of cicadas, we need to prepare a good breeding site for them. We can use some gauze netting or other tools to enclose a space as a professional breeding area.

II. Breeding Process

1. Obtaining Seed Sources

For the initial seed source, we can obtain it through natural collection in the field. Normally, some adults or eggs can be collected in the field. The second half of the year, autumn, is the best season for collecting insect eggs. At this time, we can look for some seed sources on tree branches and on the soil surface.

2. Seeding

Seeding refers to preparing cicada eggs for hatching. We can collect together some egg-bearing branches gathered from the field or the breeding site and place them in the breeding room for centralized breeding, which is more convenient. Normally, observe more and carefully check the hatching status 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 best especially after rain, when some nymphs will crawl out from the newly moistened soft soil and then climb onto some tree branches for a short period of activity. Because they like to be active at night, we can use flashlights at night to harvest them.

The above is the latest artificial breeding technique for cicadas. When collecting and breeding, we should note one point: eggs laid in the current year cannot hatch, so we should selectively cull them. This kind of egg has a dormant period, and egg branches more than one year old should be selected for hatching. To learn more related information, please continue to follow Qinnong Network!