Whether you're using them as a food source for a pet reptile or amphibian, breeding them is really easy to do.If you want to catch a male and female insect, you need to purchase them from a pet supply store.Setting up a good habitat and giving their babies time and space to grow up will allow you to breed generations of grasshoppers.
Step 1: There is a ventilated lid on a medium-sized aquarium.
You need a container that is big enough to keep your insects comfortable, has enough air flow to let in fresh air, and can be closed to stop them from escaping.You can see the insects in a glass aquarium.Aquariums and terrariums can be found at your local pet supply store or online.If you use a 5 US gal (19 L) aquarium, you'll have enough room for your animals to move around.
Step 2: Put sand in the bottom of the container.
There is an even layer on the bottom of the container if you use clean sand from a pet supply store.The female grasshoppers lay their eggs in the sand, so you want to make sure it's clean and they have a thick layer to deposit the eggs.Sand can be used instead of dry coconut fibers.Adding water to the sand could make the container too humid for the grasshoppers.
Step 3: There are dried branches at the bottom of the container.
A few twigs and branches will give your grasshoppers an extra surface area for them to sit on, which means they are less likely to fight with one another.It doesn't need much, just a stick or two at the bottom.The gnats that have something to do are more fun to watch.
Step 4: The heat can be provided by a lightbulb.
Provide heat for your animals by installing a light above your container.The container needs to be kept warm during the day.A standard lightbulb can be used for reptile habitats.The temperature of the container can be monitored with a standard thermometer.The container can get very cold at night.Don't forget to turn the light back on in the morning if you want to keep the temperature warm.
Step 5: Place the males and females in the container.
If you want to breed them, you need a male and a female in order to catch them.The females are larger than the males and their abdomens are straight.The abdomen of males is rounded and dips into a small curve before it reaches a raised angle.
Step 6: In the corner of the container, put a small bowl of sand.
You need to make an egg-laying area for female grasshoppers in the container because they like to lay their eggs in wet soil.If you want the sand to be wet, fill a small bowl with 2 inches of sand and spray it with water.You can use sand from a pet supply store to keep it damp.
Step 7: Make sure your animals have food.
If they don't have enough food, gis will not breed and may even resort to fighting and eating one another.If you're trying to get them to breed, feed them fresh grass every day.If you live in a dry area, spray the grass lightly with water.Pick grass that has been treated with an insecticidal agent.If you're not sure if the grass is safe, you can buy feed for your animals from a pet supply store or online.
Step 8: Leave the insects undisturbed while they are having sex.
If you keep the males and females well fed, they will eventually start to mate with one another.It can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a whole day for the smaller male to climb onto the back of the female.They need to not be disturbed during this process.
Step 9: The bowl should be moved to another container when the grasshopper lays her eggs.
The female insect's abdomen will start to swell after she has successfully had sex.She will deposit her eggs into the bowl after 1-2 weeks.They can hatch if the bowl is moved to another container.The female insect may eat some eggs if she is moved to the new container.The larger container needs to be set up just like the smaller one.If you fill the bottom of the container with 2 inches of dry sand, the insects will not be able to escape through the top.Make sure the container is kept cool.
Step 10: The eggs should hatch in 10 months.
You need to keep the conditions constant once you've moved the bowl into another container.When they're ready, you'll see tiny grasshoppers that look like they emerged from the sand in the bowl.The bugs can hatch in early summer if they mate in autumn and winter.You can give the nymphs grass to eat as soon as you see them.
Step 11: The nymphs should be allowed to grow for 3 weeks.
You need to allow the nymph to grow up enough before you put them back in the larger container.If you put them back in the larger container they will eat them.5 or 6 times as they grow, the nymph will shed their skin.They will be more likely to survive if they are kept safe in a separate container.Feed them fresh grass every day.