A Method for Axenic Rearing of the House Cricket, Acheta domesticus L. (Orth.)

Abstract

AbstractA technique for continuous axenic rearing of the house cricket, Acheta domestica L., is described. The eggs were surface-sterilized by immersion in a hypochlorite solution and transported to flasks containing sterilized nutrient medium, consisting of wheat bran, lettuce, carrot, mouse pellets and water. At 30° C they produced four generations a year. Mortality was insignificant if overcrowding was avoided. The effect of hypochlorite solution on survival of eggs in different developmental stages was studied. Young eggs and eggs near eclosion were largely damaged. Due to influence of group size crickets reared in solitude developed more slowly than those reared two or more together. For continuous rearing, axenic eggs could be collected from house crickets reared under axenic conditions and transported to new culture flasks. About 20 culture flasks were enough to maintain the culture.