Grasshoppers

[Lizardlover]

I have looked through many threads where people have had grasshopper breeding setups, and tried to breed grasshoppers, but have no clue how it has worked out or if there was any success breeding wild grasshoppers as feeders. I have read on multiple online sites that it is difficult to incubate the eggs and keep them alive. anyone have success breeding these as a feeder, I have recently been able to catch some pairs and if breeding isnt worth it will feed them off shortly...

 

[Todnedo]

I followed this method http://insected.arizona.edu/ghopperrear.htm
Most of the species I have go thru a diapause so not to many eggs have hatched but I have thousands of eggs that should hatch in the spring.


You might have better luck with the species in your area.

 

[Nosybe]

I have had only 10 red legged grasshoppers so far. Incubation was about two months, last month on heat. They are in their third instar and doing well on lettuce and wheat germ.

 

[Digby Rigby]

We prefer insects from tropical areas as they do not go through a diapause and can be bred year round. Locusts are grasshoppers but are differentiated by their breeding strategies. They go through a swarming phase and thats when they are most productive.

Grasshoppers from Southern Florida should be able to breed year round. As an example when using Luna moths we have used them from the deep south where they have 3 flights a year vs. 1-2 of other areas of the USA. If feeder insects can be bred without a diapause they can be suitable as feeder breeders.

Digby Rigby

 

[Lizardlover]

Thanks for the help, Im breeding bird grasshoppers, I am going to increase the number of grasshoppers and decrease the amount of food plants in the enclosure to try and get them in the "locust" phase, which Ive been doing alot of research on.

 

[Nosybe]

Mine have been fine on different types of lettuce, water cress, broccoli leaves and some wheat germ.
Too bad I have only hatched out ten so far.

 

[Nosybe]

Lizardlover, I just got your PM on the P forums.