Grasshopper breeding advice

[KapitalJ]

I have searched the forums and the net, finding little to no info on breeding grasshoppers.

I am looking for someone who is currently doing this with success, or have in the past.

I am pretty sure the hoppers in my area are the "Red Legged Grasshopper"

I am looking for typical info:
*How you set them up (size of bin, furnishings, etc..)
*Temps
*Food
*Egg laying bin (size of container, substrate, etc...)

I would love to see pics along with the info.
Any help is appreciated.
You can PM me if you don't want to post the info here.

Again, thanks for any help.

READY..... GO!

 

[Andee]

I usually keep them in screen or glass and screen enclosures. They don't do well with humidity. My grasshoppers around here only eat freshly growing graso. So I grow pots of Wheatgrass, clover, and chia and rotate them. I can't remember their exact Temps, it may be different for yours too, but mine did well with a 50 watt bulb above them and daily mistings only on their grass. They need lots of sticks where they can go upside down so they can molt properly. Their egg laying bins need to be at least 4 inches deep, I used moist sand. Most grasshoppers from the wild need a 2-4 month diapause when in their egg case. You should keep them in a fridge that's a little warmer than usual and make sure their sand stays moist. Then you open up the container you kept them in and put them in an incubator.

 

[KapitalJ]

Wow @Andee Thank you for all of the information! It is much appreciated! I have a few questions though..

1. If using a screen / glass enclosure (Exo Terra 18x18x24") Would you put screen or mesh on the sides to give more room to crawl around?

2. How long do you leave the laying bin in before you remove it?

3. How many Hoppers is a good number to start with?

Thanks again.
J.

 

[Andee]

I usually just collect a ridiculous number of branches and find a way to prop them up. Usually you will see the holes that the grasshoppers have dug to lay their eggs. I usually remove it after 8 holes are there. I usually start with 30 or more. Some will die in the process of a aclimating and God knows what else plagues them.

 

[Bigsky]

I usually just collect a ridiculous number of branches and find a way to prop them up. Usually you will see the holes that the grasshoppers have dug to lay their eggs. I usually remove it after 8 holes are there. I usually start with 30 or more. Some will die in the process of a aclimating and God knows what else plagues them.

Be aware that most grasshoppers have o ne generation per year. This means that there will be a long period of obligatory diapause. Although some overwinter as nymphs or adults, most overwinter as eggs.

 

[Andee]

I have already explained the diapause. Hopefully your post hits it home a bit more

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I am going to send you a pm.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich