Diseño de una incubadora para el control de temperatura y humedad en la fase de eclosión de huevos del grillo Acheta domesticus en el Bioparque Amaru

Abstract

In some ex-situ biodiversity conservation centers, insects have become vital as they are part of the diet of animals under human care, which is why research processes have increased to guarantee their mass production. This study aimed to design a prototype incubator that allows temperature and humidity control to increase the hatching percentage of Acheta domesticus (common cricket) eggs used for amphibian and reptile feeding in the Amaru Biopark. Three replicates were conducted; in the second replicate, it was possible to control the necessary parameters for hatching, and it showed a hatching percentage of 85% in 9 days of incubation, surpassing the 10% rate achieved in the Biopark’s facilities after 15 days of incubation. Regarding ontogeny, direct observation methods were applied to collect important information from oviposition to the adult stage, recording lengths of 5 cm for females and 4 cm for males. Optimal hatching parameters were set at a temperature of 30°C and humidity of 60%. The prototype incubator allowed control of these aspects, registering higher than preliminary hatching. More accurate humidity sensors and an automated internal humidity control system will ensure the consistency of the data presented in this study.

Keywords: Acheta domesticus, feeding, hatching, ontogeny