EFFECT OF VARIOUS FOOD ON THE GROWTH OF Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773 AND PROPOSAL OF A BREEDING PROCESS

Abstract

Biological characteristics including growth and reproduction of crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773) bred on three types of food: 100% vegetables, 100% grass, and 100% synthetic feed under laboratory conditions (25°C temperature and 75% humidity) has been determined. Crickets' largest reproductive phase size was observed with those reared on synthetic feed and the smallest on grass. When raised on synthetic feed, the crickets had a life cycle of around 96.5 days with the egg phase lasting 9.49 ± 0.40 days, while the nymph phase of 42.08 ± 3.57 days consisting of 8 stages and the adult phase with a completion time of 48.86 ± 2.94 days. As for those reared on grass, the egg phase has a completion time of 9.79 ± 0.35 days, whereas the nymph phase prolonged 46.52 ± 2.12 days for 8 stages the adult phase of 52±2.24 days within the life cycle of 108.5 days. When crickets breed on grass feed, their life cycle is longer than when they breed on synthetic feed. As a result, a process for breeding crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) in the laboratory with three types of food has been established.