Swarms of grasshoppers

This year there was a swarm of grasshoppers in Las Vegas.

They were piled high there. It shows just how densely they can be congregated. These folks even rounded up a few to cook up and eat (although the newscasters didn't like the idea):

This next video really explains the swarming phenomenon well. It has really great video footage as well. Can we say Biblical?!!!?? The ability for them to be in close quarters may be beneficial in raising them in a closed environment on a large "industrial scale."

People around the world consume grasshoppers/locusts. The problem is that many of these "wild" grasshoppers are likely contaminated with pesticides/insecticides and other agricultural chemicals.

Central Americans especially love grasshoppers, called Chapulines! Many are imported to the U.S.! This silly video does a good job describing the basics of it....

One guy said "they taste like bacon bits." 😎😀😀

These videos help support the idea that I believe there is a market in the U.S. for commercially grown grasshoppers. I am still waiting for my little "swarm" of grasshoppers, which include several types, to multiply. They have been mating and laying eggs, which are now nearing week 2 in the incubator. I will provide an update on when/if there is success in hatching out baby grasshoppers!

In the meantime, here is a pic of one that sadly reached end of life while in captivity. It gives you a good idea of the size.

Insect agriculture

I have been researching and tinkering with an idea that is new to me, but has apparently been a "thing" for several years: insect agriculture. There a good number of players in the space, most focusing on mealworms or black soldier fly larvae as protein sources. This article helped to spark my interest in the farming of insects: https://agfundernews.com/funding-insect-startups-slow-start-despite-demand.html. This article was a good one as well: https://agfundernews.com/inside-insect-farming.html.  It speaks to the need for automation in the space and how it drives growth. This is what has peaked my interest in the space. After some research on the topic (what I enjoy doing) and looking at the latest news and trends I took the plunge and started my own grasshopper "farm". My family and I have been rounding up grasshoppers from our small plot of land.
Here are a few photos and a video of our first grasshopper box....

We have captured several types of grasshoppers and have now begun the incubation process, attempting to hatch out new grasshoppers in captivity.

So why grasshoppers? I came across an Israeli company, Hargol, that happens to be the world's first and only commercial scale grasshopper producer. After reading up on grasshoppers, it was apparent that they would be a good challenge. Plus, they are also in demand. In Mexico, grasshoppers are a sought after critter. When prepared for human consumption they are know as Chapulines. I anticipate that there will be a sufficient demand in the southern US given that there is a large Hispanic population. Granted, the grasshoppers we are growing are not the native variety found in Mexico and Central America, but maybe these will be a good substitute  as "American Chapulines." Beyond direct human consumption they can also be made into protein powder/meal for use in both human, animal, and fish feed. Think tilapia, shrimp, and chickens. They could even be dried and feed whole to poultry.

So that is a rundown of a new adventure here at Mt. Pelia Innovative Solutions. Plans are already in the works related to how to scale up. I love to come up with company names. One that I like for this business is "THOPTER". This is derived from the insect order Orthoptera which includes locusts, crickets, and grasshopper.

What do you think of this new venture? Would you try a roasted grasshopper? How about a smoothie made with insect protein powder? Let me know in the comments section.

-John