Locusts are a fantastic feeder insect for any reptile or large invertebrate, providing much more nutrition than other livefood, such as crickets or mealworms. They are the largest live food source in captivity, with adults reaching in excess of 8cm, and an ability to take long flight. Not only is the size of these attractive to predators, but also the bright yellow wing case an abdomen, making a perfect treat for large chameleons or geckos.
Rearing Locusts
Locusts are huge eaters, and will eat most of what is put in for them. However, the best food types would be vegetation, such as cabbage remains, old leaves of fruit or branches, and various other vegetable matter. You can also purchase pre-made formulae, which contains various mixed up foods, ground into a powder. Dry food such as cornflakes, oats and biscuits can also be fed.
Locusts must be kept in a dry enclosure, with humidity at a minimum. Damp conditions can cause the locusts to die of mould or fungal infection.
Feeding Locust
Feeding is very similar to crickets. They need to be provided with a good supply of dry foods, "bug grub" is an insect feeder that has a mixture of ingredients designed to be fed to insects so that they have a good gut content and provide ample nutrients to your pets. Alternative foods can be used such as bran, weetabix, digestives and bread. Fruits such as grapes, apples or vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage provide extra vitamins and moisture. If moist foods are available on a regular basis then a water dish is not really needed.
Breeding is relatively easy
If you are wanting to breed your own locust them all that's needed is a 4 inch deep dish filled with silver sand or sharp sand. The sand should be kept moist by wetting it and adding a few drops of water each day, you don't want the sand wet though, just moist.
The female locust will position herself over the sand dish and push her back end in to it to deposit up to 200 eggs. Keep if your tank is the correct temperature then the locusts will emerge after 10 - 12 days.
The young can be fed on the same material as the adults and will go through several (5) instar moultings before becoming adult - you'll probably have used them by this time though!
Temperature & Humidity
Keep locusts at a temperature of 20 - 30C and in a dry atmosphere to prevent fungal infections.
Rearing Locusts
Locusts are huge eaters, and will eat most of what is put in for them. However, the best food types would be vegetation, such as cabbage remains, old leaves of fruit or branches, and various other vegetable matter. You can also purchase pre-made formulae, which contains various mixed up foods, ground into a powder. Dry food such as cornflakes, oats and biscuits can also be fed.
Locusts must be kept in a dry enclosure, with humidity at a minimum. Damp conditions can cause the locusts to die of mould or fungal infection.
Feeding Locust
Feeding is very similar to crickets. They need to be provided with a good supply of dry foods, "bug grub" is an insect feeder that has a mixture of ingredients designed to be fed to insects so that they have a good gut content and provide ample nutrients to your pets. Alternative foods can be used such as bran, weetabix, digestives and bread. Fruits such as grapes, apples or vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage provide extra vitamins and moisture. If moist foods are available on a regular basis then a water dish is not really needed.
Breeding is relatively easy
If you are wanting to breed your own locust them all that's needed is a 4 inch deep dish filled with silver sand or sharp sand. The sand should be kept moist by wetting it and adding a few drops of water each day, you don't want the sand wet though, just moist.
The female locust will position herself over the sand dish and push her back end in to it to deposit up to 200 eggs. Keep if your tank is the correct temperature then the locusts will emerge after 10 - 12 days.
The young can be fed on the same material as the adults and will go through several (5) instar moultings before becoming adult - you'll probably have used them by this time though!
Temperature & Humidity
Keep locusts at a temperature of 20 - 30C and in a dry atmosphere to prevent fungal infections.