Cannibalism, oviposition and egg development in the edible long-horned grasshopper, <i>Ruspolia differens</i> (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) under laboratory conditions

Reliance on seasonal wild harvests of the edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) needs to be broken through developing efficient mass rearing protocols. This study aimed at boosting productivity laboratory colonies R. understanding ways minimising cannibalism, selecting suitable oviposition substrates and enhancing egg development hatchability. Firstly, we investigated extent cannibalism in a colony relative total mortality, sex, diurnality, growth stage, body parts eaten visual barriers (presence/absence cardboard trays). cadavers recovered from cages with/without trays were scored for cause death (cannibalism/other), time (night/day), stage part devoured. Secondly, cotton wool leaf sheaths Pennisetum sp., maize Panicum sp. evaluated preference by differens. Eggs oviposited each substrate incubated determine developmental duration Thirdly, tested effect moistening eggs incubation period hatchability intact opened against unmoistened as control. We found that accounted 49% deaths with 83% victims being adults. Males females equally susceptible cannibalism. Over 97% occurred night presence almost doubled incidence The thorax was most preferred part, which consumed 77% cannibalised individuals. Maize over wool. Opening egg-laden reduced 0.4 days. Unmoistened didn’t hatch after 25 days, but 65% them hatched within 11 days upon moistening. These findings offer guidelines improvement protocols human consumption other uses.