Keeping Grasshoppers?

[Spepper]

Anyone done it? I've always kind of been interested in grasshoppers, but every time I've collected them and tried to keep them alive they die. Of course, those were pre-Arachnoboard days, so maybe I can pull it off now. I tried searching for already existing threads about it, but didn't really find much. Are they difficult to keep? I would be keeping them in an empty 5-gallon tank with a clear piece of plexiglass laid on top with holes drilled in for a lid. Do they eat a lot? I imagine they probably do. I also need information about substrate (how deep, what kind, etc) and heat. Do they need sunlight or a heat lamp to survive? I think they might be cooked if I tried putting this tank by a sunny window, heh, heh. Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[Micrathena]

I've never kept grasshoppers, but I would imagine that you would need to plant grasses or other plants in the enclosure. Apart from that, I don't know.

 

[Smokehound714]

You need lateral ventilation. insects breathe differently than arachnids and can suffocate rapidly.

Top ventilation is useless as it allows Co2 to pool at the bottom.


Keep them dry, especially schistocerca sp. Grasses are fine, most hoppers will accept grasses in general.

 

[Spepper]

Okay, what about heat or light?

 

[Smokehound714]

http://bugguide.net/node/view/809740/bgimage

here's a neat grasshopper species. Pygmy grasshoppers are crazy, many of them are semi aquatic and can dive and swim underwater; some even lay eggs under water.

These need light though, a simple blue-spectrum cfl bulb will enable algae to grow. Not all pygmy grasshoppers swim or frequent water, though. these guys are common in riparian zones here in socal. They may be omnivorous, as well, as pond scum is loaded with small organisms.

many grasshoppers have a decent lifespan.

 

[Micrathena]

I just remembered, Orin McMonigle's book Invertebrates in Captivity has a section about lubber grasshoppers. Can't seem to find my copy though...
Edit: That weird U bracket thing should be underlined. Guess it didn't work though.

 

[Spepper]

Thanks guys for the help!