Effect of food plants on nutritional ecology of two acridids (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to provide alternative protein supplement for poultry

Abstract

A large annual acridid biomass should be produced on acridid farms to manufacture high-quality, low-cost feed for the poultry industry. A laboratory experiment was conducted to measure the nymphal mortality, nymphal developmental period, growth indices, and adult life span of 2 common acridids (Oxya hyla hyla and Spathosternum prasiniferum prasiniferum) on 3 food plants (Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cynodon dactylon, and Brachiaria mutica). Among the 3 food plants, D. aegyptium was suitable only for 1st and 2nd instars of O. hyla hyla, and B. mutica was suitable for the remaining instars and the adult stages of O. hyla hyla and for all nymphal and adult stages of S. prasiniferum prasiniferum. Of the 2 selected acridids, O. hyla hyla gave better results for growth indices and other chosen parameters. It was concluded that on acridid farms, O. hyla hyla should be reared on D. aegyptium in early nymphal stages and on B. mutica in advanced nymphal and adult stages to obtain a high biomass.