CATDOLL : CATDOLL: Requirements for breeding golden cicadas (requirements for breeding golden cicadas)

1. What conditions are needed to breed cicadas?

The forest is too dense and the distance between trees is too small, so the minimum requirement is 3*3 or 3.5*3.5.

If it is too dry, the larvae cannot burrow into the soil. Most breeders use a method of using a micro-tillage machine to till the trees once or twice (not too deep to avoid damaging the tree roots), planting the egg strips, and then using sprinkler irrigation to water regularly (once every two days, or once every day if it is too dry) to simulate the rainy season environment, keep the egg strips moist, allow the eggs to hatch as soon as possible, and keep the soil moist so that the eggs and larvae can burrow into the soil smoothly.

2. What are the ten taboos of raising cicadas?

1. Prevent flooding. Cicadas are afraid of flooding but not drought. During the breeding period, the area in the forest should be careful to prevent water accumulation and long-term over-humidity to prevent the nymphs from dying due to lack of oxygen in the soil. Therefore, we should choose high and dry plots to plant trees and raise cicadas, and dig drainage ditches in advance in low-lying areas.

2. Watering during excessive drought If the soil is dry and hard for a long time, the tree will grow poorly and some of the small hairy roots will dry up. The food source of the cicada larvae will be affected, which will affect the survival of the cicada. Although the cicada will not die as long as the tree does not die of drought, the cicada will not be strong if the tree is not vigorous. The growth of the tree and the development of the cicada will be affected, which will also reduce the benefits. Therefore, we should also water appropriately when we see drought. Although drought is very rare, it is best to choose a plot that is easy to irrigate for raising cicadas.

3. Manual weeding: When grass grows under trees, try to use manual weeding. Try not to use herbicides, ammonium fertilizers, and systemic highly toxic pesticides.

4. Do not loosen the soil after planting. Do not loosen the soil intentionally with a hoe or a tiller after planting. The first-instar larvae of the cicada are concentrated in the upper soil layer. Loosening the soil will directly damage the larvae of the cicada and reduce economic benefits.

5. Inspection and ant control. Inspect the cicada forest once a week to prevent accidental damage. Pay attention to the harm of natural enemies such as ants. Use drugs that are non-toxic or low-toxic to cicadas. Spray the drugs around the edges of the forest where there are many ants to form an anti-ant isolation belt. Spray the drugs again after each rain. This method was told to me by a friend who raises cicadas. It is very effective.

6. Planting crops in the forest Intercropping crops in the forest can increase soil moisture, maintain moisture and looseness, which is more conducive to the growth of cicadas and increases economic benefits.

7. Tips for high-yield management When managing cicada breeding, the most important thing for cicada farmers is how to get the highest yield. The basic condition for high-yield cicada breeding is to implement the technical points and details of each link such as branch quality, preservation, hatching, early preparation, breeding time and method, and later management into actual operation, so as to meet the optimal conditions for cicadas during wintering, hatching, and growth as much as possible. If the details are not done well, the yield will not be high. Learning this is very useful.

8. Cicadas are not usually raised in nurseries. It is not advisable to raise cicadas in tree nurseries, because the seedlings need to be dug up and sold every 1-3 years, and the cicadas may not be fully developed when the seedlings are dug up and sold. You can only dig out cicadas in advance and sell them. If the seedlings in the nursery are not transplanted, they can be raised.

9. Greenhouse breeding should be used comprehensively. Some people use plastic greenhouses to breed cicadas, because the high ground temperature will cause them to emerge earlier. The idle period of the greenhouse can be used to breed other animals or grow other crops to increase the comprehensive economic benefits.

10. You must use perennial plants to breed cicadas. Current technology requires trees or perennial plants with well-developed root systems to breed cicadas, which means that no matter where you breed them, it is difficult to breed them without trees or perennial herbs. Therefore, reports and technologies that claim that cicadas can be bred with artificial feed without trees or other perennial plants should be treated with caution.

Choose the right tree species. First of all, we need to choose tree species with well-developed and juicy root systems, such as poplars, willows, sycamores, elms, apples, pear trees, bamboo willows, etc. A well-developed root system will have more lateral roots, that is, the more roots the better, which is more beneficial for the survival of the cicada larvae and increases the probability of them finding roots underground.

3. What is the most effective way to raise cicadas?

1. Breeding base

Cicadas are mainly bred under forests. Their growth needs can be met under various fruit trees and timber trees. Generally, fruit trees over three years old and other trees can be used as breeding places for cicadas. This type of wood contains more juice and is very suitable.

2. Collecting eggs

After collecting the branches with cicada eggs, remove the dry leaves, cut off the two ends, and bundle thirty branches into a bundle. Spread a layer of sand on the bottom of a large washing basin, and put the bundled branches upright in the basin. Keep the temperature at 28-34 degrees Celsius and the humidity at 60%. Spray it when it is dry. Use a sprayer to spray the branches until they are thoroughly wet.

3. Incubate

The larvae will hatch in about fifteen days. During the hatching period, the eggs of the cicada should be checked continuously. If a small number of cicada larvae are found active, the branches and fine sand can be placed in the breeding place and buried with soil.

4. Breeding environment

In the process of breeding cicadas, it is necessary to maintain suitable temperature and humidity, especially in the hot summer season. Ventilation and moisture retention are required to prevent the cicada's shell from drying out and cracking. In winter, incense should be burned in the garden to prevent the cicada from suffering from frost damage.

4. What are the methods for breeding cicadas and what are the things to pay attention to?

Egg treatment

Good quality cicada eggs are a prerequisite for successful cicada breeding. Farmers can breed on their own if they are breeding on a small scale, or collect wild cicada eggs. However, it should be noted that wild cicada eggs have the disadvantages of inconsistent larvae, mixed varieties, and low yields. In addition, it is best not to use cicada eggs from fruit trees, because the eggs in fruit trees are seriously harmed by pesticides and have a low survival rate. Large-scale breeding must be purchased from regular professional breeding farms. Tie 50-100 branches with cicada eggs into a bundle, place them in a pot or on the ground, and then process them with special methods for later use.

2. Tree species selection

The key to improving the efficiency and yield of cicada breeding is to choose healthy tree species with developed root systems, lush growth and more sap for breeding. For example, poplar, elm, willow, tung or various fruit trees in the orchard are all tree species that cicadas like to eat. In addition, dwarf shrubs such as honeysuckle and green wax are also crops that cicadas like to eat. Cicadas cannot be bred under trees such as pine and bitter lily. Because the rhizomes of pine trees have a special pine scent, cicadas do not like to eat them; cicada larvae also do not like to eat the bitter sap of bitter lily trees. It is best to intercrop some vines such as potatoes and sweet potatoes. Some experts say that root crops need to be planted to meet the feeding requirements of cicadas, but this statement is not true. According to my field's observations over the years, cicadas do not survive by eating root and rhizome plants, but rhizome vines can provide a better shading condition for cicadas.

3. Incubation conditions

The most important condition for hatching cicada eggs is temperature. A suitable temperature is the key to shortening the growth cycle of cicadas and increasing the hatching rate of cicadas. The temperature should generally be controlled at 25-35℃, and the maximum temperature should not exceed 38℃. Too low temperature may cause the cicada to spawn for a longer time, and too high temperature may cause the cicada eggs to die. The general process is to do the treatment of cicada eggs and land in autumn and winter, and hatch and breed cicadas during the Spring Festival. The eggs can be hatched from March to July every year. Heating is mainly done by using a coal stove. Be sure to exhaust the gas in the hatching room to prevent the gas from damaging the cicada eggs. Maintaining appropriate humidity is particularly important to improve the hatching rate of cicadas. During the hatching, use a sprayer to spray water on the cicada eggs every day to keep them moisturized. The spray should be fine and even. Too dry or too wet will cause damage to the hatching of cicadas.

4. Breeding management

Under the condition of suitable temperature and humidity, it only takes about 35 days to hatch the little golden cicada. When about 20% of the golden cicadas have hatched, the golden cicada strips can be planted at the roots of the trees. When planting, dig a trench about 1 meter away from the roots of the trees, with a depth of 30-50 cm and a width of 20 cm. Then plant the golden cicada larvae and eggs in the trench, fill the soil and cover it. It should be sunny and frost-proof. The soil should be soft, fertile and pollution-free. The land should not be too dry, nor should it have too high a water content or water accumulation. At the same time, ensure that the root system of the host plant grows and develops normally, and the young and juicy young plants are covered. In winter, wheat straw, rice straw, corn stalks, etc. should be covered in the planting area to maintain the ground temperature. To ensure the smooth emergence of the insects, tape should be wrapped around the tree trunks before the golden cicadas emerge to prevent the golden cicadas from escaping. Cicadas mainly emerge between 8 and 10 p.m., and spraying a cicada inducer about 6 hours before emergence can concentrate the time at which the cicadas emerge, making it easier to manage and harvest. After harvesting, they can be simply cleaned and processed before being sold as finished products.

5. How to breed, plant and manage cicadas?

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Selective breeding of trees

Dwarf fruit trees such as apricot trees, peach trees, apple trees or other dwarf shrubs are good trees for cicada breeding. Pay attention to timely pruning of high branches to facilitate breeding and management; interplant fruit tree seedlings between trees to increase the branches for cicada egg laying; plant cicada eggs under the trees, refer to the "Cicada Breeding Technology" for methods.

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Building a breeding greenhouse

Before the cicadas are about to emerge, build breeding greenhouses, with an area of ​​1 mu each. Use cement columns or bamboo sticks to build fences around the breeding area, with a row spacing of 5 meters. Use bamboo poles to build a frame in the middle, and then pull iron wire to fix it, and then cover it with nylon window screens. For breeding, choose high and dry land with convenient drainage and irrigation. Avoid building breeding greenhouses in low-lying land that is prone to water accumulation.

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Pest management and epidemic prevention

After the cicadas emerge from the ground, they have a strong tendency to move toward light. In the early stage, they should be allowed to enter the greenhouse after they have emerged from the molts. When catching them, they will fly around and bump into the light, causing the death of the seed insects. Therefore, all the cicadas that have emerged from the ground within the first week can be caught, and they can be allowed to naturally emerge and lay eggs after one week. The seed density is about 10,000 per mu, with males and females accounting for about 50% each. Each female cicada can lay 500 to 1,500 eggs. Each greenhouse can provide seeds for the reproduction of cicadas on about 20 mu of land.

About 20 days after the cicadas emerge from their pupae, they can mate and lay eggs. When laying eggs, the cicadas pierce the epidermis of the branches and lay their eggs in the wood. During the mating and egg-laying period, try not to walk around or make noise in the greenhouse to avoid adverse effects on the cicadas.

Since there are many natural enemies of nymphs (cicada turtles) after they emerge from the soil and adults after they emerge from the shells, such as toads, sparrows and mantises, protection work should be done in the greenhouse. In addition, the gauze nets should be checked frequently to prevent the cicadas from escaping.

Microorganisms such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Entomogenetic algae (cicadae) can cause parasitic damage to cicadas, so protection should be strengthened during breeding. During the period when mature nymphs emerge from the soil, eggs under trees and cicada ants occur, the main natural enemies of cicadas are ants and red flower bugs, so they must be strictly prevented. Strong ammonia can be used for soil treatment.

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Feed supply

Choose healthy tree species with well-developed root systems, lush growth, and more sap, such as poplar, elm, willow, tung, or various fruit trees in the orchard. In addition, intercrop some root and tuber plants, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams.

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Environmental conditions

The appropriate depth for the "breeding" of cicadas is 30 to 50 centimeters. They should be sunny and frost-proof. The soil should be soft, fertile, and pollution-free. It should not be too dry, nor should it have too much water or water accumulation. This ensures that the root system of the host plant grows and develops normally, and that the young plants are tender, developed, and juicy. In winter, the breeding area should be covered with wheat straw, rice straw, corn straw, etc. to maintain the ground temperature.

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Epidemic prevention preparation

There are many natural enemies of nymphs (cicada turtles) after they emerge from the soil and adults after they emerge from their shells, such as toads, snakes, mice, hedgehogs, wild cats, sparrows and mantises, which all like to eat nymphs (cicada turtles). Microorganisms such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Entomogenetic algae fungi (Cicada fungus) also cause harm. In addition, floods and pollution from pesticides and fertilizers are also harmful to nymphs (cicada turtles) or cicadas.

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Breeding technology

In addition to collecting cicada eggs naturally, we can build gauze greenhouses to provide space for cicada adults to lay eggs. We can use the fruit trees in abandoned orchards to replant fruit tree seedlings, build fences around them with cement columns or bamboo sticks, and then stretch iron wires in the middle, and cover them with nylon window screens. The emerged or collected adults can mate and lay eggs in them, and the number of adults can be retained as needed, without having to collect seed sources from the wild.

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The planting time of cicada

Planting time is generally from May to July or from September to October. Dig regular narrow trenches about 10 to 30 cm deep about 1 meter away from the base of the trunk, such as ring, square, triangle, parallel or radial shapes, for the purpose of later digging and harvesting. Cover the soil and compact it after "planting", and keep records of the time, quantity, "planting" trench shape and depth. It should be sunny and frost-proof, with soft, fertile and pollution-free soil; it should not be too dry, nor should it have too high water content or water accumulation, to ensure the normal growth and development of the host plant root system, and the young plants should be tender, developed and juicy. In winter, wheat straw, rice straw, corn straw, etc. should be covered in the planting area to maintain the ground temperature.

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Harvesting Golden Cicadas

After burying the egg branches for 2-3 years, the cicadas begin to grow and mature gradually. The harvesting period is generally during the summer solstice every year. If there is a heavy rain, the fat and strong nymphs will start to drill out of the ground at 4-5 am, or after the rain, the nymphs will dig a hole in the soft ground with a pair of saw-like front feet. After crawling out of the ground, they will do a short exercise on the ground, and then climb the tree trunk or trellis to prepare to shed their shells. After 2-4 hours, they will shed their skin and become cicadas (cicadas). According to this characteristic of the golden cicada, after the summer solstice every year, if there is no rain and drought, the breeding site can be artificially irrigated to induce the cicadas to emerge. Before the cicadas emerge, or before the cicadas mature, a circle of smooth plastic film can be tied around the tree trunk 30 cm above the ground to prevent the cicadas from continuing to crawl up the tree for easy harvesting. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate and catch them on the ground and tree trunks under the tree at night. Or catch the young adult cicadas on the tree in the early morning.

Precautions

The most important seasons are the egg stage on trees, the occurrence of cicada ants, and the emergence of mature nymphs. The natural enemies of the egg stage on trees and the occurrence of cicada ants are mainly ants and red flower bugs. The treatment measures are to use 100 times the solution of strong ammonia to wash the egg-bearing branches or DDVP, strong chlorine, etc. to treat the soil.

6. How to breed cicadas?

1. Choose trees

Generally speaking, tree species with well-developed lateral roots, juicy branches, and large annual growth, and trees over three years old are more suitable for growing cicadas. Apricot trees, peach trees, pear trees, and apple trees are all more suitable for growing cicadas. For chicken farmers, such trees are also more suitable for raising native chickens under the forest. You can raise native chickens and grow cicadas under the forest, killing two birds with one stone.

2. Construction of gauze greenhouse

You can build a screen shed in the orchard, use cement pillars or bamboo sticks to build a fence around it, and then pull iron wire in the middle, and cover it with nylon window screen. You can catch some cicada monkeys and put them in, and wait for them to naturally emerge. Or you can directly catch adult cicadas. Generally, they mate in a ratio of 1:1 between male and female, and female cicadas can generally lay about 500 eggs.

The cicadas can mate and lay eggs about 20 days after they emerge from their pupae. During the mating and egg-laying period, try not to walk around or make noise in the greenhouse to avoid adverse effects on the cicadas.

3. Collecting Egg Strips

There are some special farms that cultivate cicada ants, and you can directly buy cicada larvae. Breeders with better skills can cultivate them themselves. There are cracks on the egg strips that look like they have been cut by a knife, and cicada eggs are laid in these tiny cracks. Eggs are usually laid on one-year-old tender strips. Most branches that are green at the bottom and dry at the end have cicada eggs. The general process is to do the work of laying golden cicada eggs in autumn and winter, and they can be hatched and planted from March to July every year.

4. Incubation

If you buy larvae directly, you don't need to hatch them. Egg strips are usually collected around the seventh month of the lunar calendar. After collection, remove the dry leaves from the branches and cut off the ends. 30-50 strips are bundled together. If the number of eggs collected is small, you can use a washing basin.

Spread a layer of sand on the bottom and place the bundled branches upright in the pot.

If there are a large number of larvae, you can make a hatching rack yourself. Use a few thick branches or metal mesh to support a platform, and place the tree branches on it. Under the platform, put a large piece of plastic film (some of the hatched white larvae will fall on it), and sprinkle some fine sand that has been screened and dried on the plastic film.

The suitable temperature for hatching is 28--35℃, and an incubator is required. For chicken farmers who have a brooding room, this is not a difficult task, and cicadas can be hatched in the brooding room. The technical requirements for cicada breeding are very strict. For example, during the incubation period of cicada eggs, the temperature and humidity of the incubation must be strictly controlled. Fluctuating temperatures can easily cause the death of cicada eggs; too dry will cause the hatching rate of cicada eggs to drop significantly, and too wet will cause the cicada eggs to suffocate and die.

In order to keep the branches moist, regular inspections and observations are required every day. Generally, water should be sprayed 4-6 times a day. The incubation time is about 15 days. After the larvae hatch, they will climb up and down the branches, and some will accidentally fall into the fine sand. When about 30% of the larvae have hatched, it is time to prepare for sowing.

4. Sowing

When the ground temperature is kept above 10℃ during the day, you can sow seeds. The planting time is generally from May to July or from September to October. Choose healthy tree species with well-developed root systems, lush growth, and more juice, such as poplar, elm, willow, tung or various fruit trees in the orchard. In addition, intercrop some rhizome plants, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams. Before sowing, use a tiller to plow the sandy soil in the woods to make it softer, and sprinkle an appropriate amount of water to make the soil loose and moist. You can cover a layer of hay or wheat straw under the tree where you plan to raise cicadas and sprinkle water to soak it so that the tree can grow a large number of capillary roots, providing a good environment for the growth of small cicadas.