Grasshoppers, also known as leeches, are a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily used for the extraction of alfalfa. For both medical use and export purposes, China requires about 1,000 tons of grasshoppers annually. However, due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as excessive harvesting in recent years, wild populations have drastically declined, making it difficult to meet the growing demand. Fortunately, grasshoppers possess strong vitality, reproduce quickly, require minimal investment in artificial breeding, and are easy to manage, making them an excellent option for rural communities seeking to improve their economic conditions.
Below are the key aspects of grasshopper artificial breeding:
First, site selection and pond construction. The breeding area should be shaded, with good drainage and irrigation systems. Ponds can be designed to be around 3 meters wide and 1 meter deep, with no fixed length. Water should flow in and out diagonally, and the bottom of the pond should be equipped with stones and branches to provide shelter for the grasshoppers. Small-scale farmers can use simple earth pits behind their homes, just filling them with water.
Second, sourcing and breeding stock. Grasshoppers can be collected from nature or purchased. Known as "Cattle Leeches," they often feed on the blood of animals like cattle. These creatures are hermaphrodites, capable of laying eggs individually. During March and April, they lay 1–4 eggs per batch, and each adult can produce 60–80 young grasshoppers. Breeding season is during summer and autumn, which is also the best time to collect animal blood. Trapping can be done efficiently, with more than 2–3 kilograms captured at once, faster than catching fish or turtles. When selecting breeding stock, choose robust, healthy individuals weighing about 25 grams. These grasshoppers lay many eggs with a high hatching rate, and if stocked early in spring, they can reach market size within six months.
Third, feeding and management. Grasshoppers are hardy and easy to raise, requiring mainly proper feeding and water quality control.
1. Feeding: They primarily feed on the blood of snails, cockroaches, and other small mammals. In artificial farming, the main diet includes animal blood and rice bran. About 2.5 kg of snails are placed per mu (approx. 667 square meters) of water to allow natural reproduction for feeding. Animal blood can be fed once a week. Adding a bottle of "Liver Fighter Chang Lingling" weekly can double the output and prevent disease.
2. Water quality: Grasshoppers are not very sensitive to water quality and can even survive in polluted water. However, in artificial breeding, clean water is essential to maintain health and ensure sufficient dissolved oxygen. During summer and autumn, regular water changes are necessary.
3. Winter care: After winter, grasshoppers stop feeding and burrow into the soil to hibernate. Those stocked in early spring usually grow to marketable size by the following year. Seedlings should be harvested before hibernation. First, drain the water, then carefully net and select vigorous individuals. Reserve about 10–15 kg per mu and concentrate them in the breeding area. Use covering and heating methods to ensure survival through winter, keeping the pool temperature above 0°C.
4. Processing and sales: Once caught, grasshoppers are placed in lime for 20–30 minutes to kill them. Afterward, they are dried and sieved to remove lime powder, ready for sale.
This method not only meets the demand for medicinal grasshoppers but also offers a sustainable and profitable opportunity for farmers.
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