On the biomass production of Spathosternum prasiniferum prasiniferum (Walker, 1871) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) as a potential insect to feed the livestock

Abstract

In recent times short horn grasshoppers (i.e. acridids) have been emerged as a potential nutrient resource for livestock in India. But it is necessary to attempt their mass production for a sustainable supply which is also cost effective. In this context the present work aimed to evaluate the ability of annual production of Spathosternum prasiniferum prasiniferum (Walker, 1871). The insects were reared in captivity in natural condition without the aid of any environmental chamber that has been used in all the previous works. For estimation of biomass nymphal survival percentage, number of egg pods laid per female, number of eggs hatched per pod, sex ratio, energy content and dry body weight of adult individuals were taken into consideration. Then projected annual biomass was calculated from the obtained results. The findings were encouraging because we have estimated about 66,326 individuals, or 3.55 Kg of dry biomass i.e. 82,234.33 KJ of energy after one year starting from only one pair. Even though the probable annual biomass was found to be lower than the previous works, still it was a good amount, and heartening for mass scale production. Thus we have concluded the work with a notion that this might encourage small scale start up even by poor farmers who are unable to procure environmental chamber. However, other species should be explored in future that can produce a higher biomass.