Abstract
The edible grasshopper Patanga succincta is increasingly recognised as a promising insect resource for food and feed production in tropical agroecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of host plant diets on growth, survival, and gut microbiota of P. succincta under farm-based rearing conditions. First-instar nymphs were reared ad libitum on four diets: ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis), sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum), king grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch. Growth performance was assessed using final adult weight, weight gain, and relative weight gain, together with survival to adult emergence. Grasshoppers fed king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch showed the best performance, reaching final weights of 2.00 g in females and 1.50 g in males, with survival rates of approximately 99%. By contrast, those fed sugarcane leaves exhibited the lowest performance, with final weights of 1.13 g (females) and 0.80 g (males), and reduced survival. Females attained higher biomass than males, although dietary effects were more pronounced. Gut microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with diet-associated shifts indicating a link between feed quality and host performance. These findings demonstrate that diet strongly influences productivity and survival of P. succincta under farm-based conditions. Optimising locally available plant resources improves production efficiency and supports the development of P. succincta as a managed insect species for sustainable food production systems.
1 Introduction
Edible insects are increasingly recognised as sustainable alternative sources of protein for human food and animal feed, particularly in the context of global food security, environmental sustainability, and resilient agri-food systems (Halloran et al., 2018; van Huis et al., 2013). In Southeast Asia, insect consumption has long been embedded in local food cultures, and recent socio-economic shifts have further accelerated interest in insect farming as a low-input, income-generating activity (Hanboonsong et al., 2020). Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion of small- to medium-scale insect rearing has been widely reported across the region, including Thailand, where insect farming has provided livelihood opportunities for individuals affected by job loss and economic disruption (van Huis et al., 2021; Imathiu, 2020). This growing sector continues to expand, supported by strong market demand, relatively low production costs, and the adaptability of insects to locally available feed resources (Dobermann et al., 2017). In addition, edible insect farming is increasingly viewed as an important component of sustainable food systems due to the high feed conversion efficiency of insects and their ability to convert plant biomass into nutritionally valuable protein (Rumpold and Schlüter, 2013; van Huis, 2020).
Patanga succincta (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is one of the most widespread grasshopper species in Southeast Asia and is increasingly recognised as a promising edible insect for both human food and animal feed applications. Grasshoppers are valued for their high protein content, favourable amino acid profiles, and efficient biomass conversion, making them suitable ingredients for direct human consumption as well as for incorporation into animal feeds for poultry, fish, and other livestock (Dobermann et al., 2017; Hanboonsong et al., 2020; van Huis et al., 2013). Although P. succincta has traditionally been associated with crop damage in forage grasses, sugarcane, maize, and pasture systems (Saharia et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2020), its high biomass, broad host plant range, and local abundance make it well suited for managed rearing as a food and feed resource. In recent years, interest in grasshopper farming has increased because Orthopteran insects can efficiently utilise plant-derived substrates and convert them into high-value biomass for food and feed applications (Hance et al., 2025; Magara et al., 2021).
Beyond its direct nutritional value, P. succincta also offers indirect benefits within agricultural and food systems. On-farm rearing and harvesting of grasshoppers can provide supplementary income for smallholder farmers and rural communities, particularly in regions where insect consumption is culturally accepted and feed resources are readily available (van Huis et al., 2021; Hanboonsong et al., 2020). Furthermore, the ability of grasshoppers to utilise low-cost, plant-derived feeds supports their integration into circular and sustainable production systems, where agricultural by-products and locally available grasses can be converted into high value protein (Halloran et al., 2018). In many agricultural landscapes, P. succincta naturally exploits diverse grass species, highlighting its potential for production systems based on readily available plant resources and reinforcing its relevance for scalable, low-input insect farming.
Host plant quality is a key determinant of grasshopper growth, survival, and overall productivity. Diet composition strongly influences the physiological performance of herbivorous insects and shapes gut microbiota that contribute to nutrient assimilation, carbohydrate fermentation, and immune modulation (Abdel Rahman, 2001; Dillon and Dillon, 2004; Engel and Moran, 2013; Hance et al., 2025). Previous studies have shown that insect gut microbial communities can play important roles in the degradation of complex plant-derived compounds, nutrient metabolism, and host health (Douglas, 2015; Yun et al., 2014). In Orthopteran insects, dominant gut bacterial taxa frequently include members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, and several bacterial genera have been associated with the digestion of plant-derived substrates and other metabolic functions (Hance et al., 2025). However, compared with other economically important insects, microbiome datasets and genomic resources for edible grasshopper species are still poorly documented. In orthopteran insects, most available microbiome studies have focused on laboratory-reared species such as Gampsocleis gratiosa, mainly describing bacterial diversity and community composition (Li et al., 2025; Zhou et al., 2022). However, information on the gut microbiota of edible grasshopper species such as P. succincta under farm-based rearing conditions is still lacking.
Although several studies have examined the nutritional value and growth performance of edible insects, little is known about how plant-based diets influence gut microbiota and host performance under practical farm-based rearing systems. Moreover, knowledge of gut microbial communities in edible grasshoppers remains comparatively limited relative to other farmed insects such as crickets and mealworms (Hance et al., 2025; Yun et al., 2014). Despite the widespread occurrence of P. succincta on a variety of grasses in agricultural and semi-natural systems, systemic evaluations of how host plants diets influence its growth performance and diet associated gut bacterial communities under farmed-based rearing conditions remain limited. Consequently, understanding how different host plant diets influence gut microbial communities and host performance under practical farm-based rearing systems remains an important research need.
This study aimed to evaluate how commonly available host plant diets such as ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis), sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum), king grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch function as feed resources for P. succincta under farm-based rearing conditions. Specifically, we examined their effects on growth performance (biomass accumulation), survival, and diet-associated gut microbiota. By linking diet-driven variation in host performance with corresponding microbial patterns, this research provides insight into how plant-based feeds influence productivity and biological efficiency of P. succincta in practical production systems. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable, plant-based feeding strategies for grasshopper production as a food and feed resource.
2 Materials and methods
The overall experimental design of the farm-based rearing study is summarised in Figure 1.
Preparation of grasshoppers
First-instar P. succincta nymphs (n = 600) were obtained from a farmer-managed rearing system in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand, where grasshoppers are routinely reared for food production. The colony was originally established from locally collected populations and maintained under practical on-farm conditions using plant-based diets. Prior to allocation to experimental diet treatments, newly hatched nymphs were allowed to acclimate for 24 h under ambient farm rearing conditions, with temperature (30–32 °C), relative humidity (approximately 75%), and a natural photoperiod representative of local production settings.
Schematic overview of the experimental design used to evaluate the effects of different host plant diets on growth performance, survival, and gut microbiota composition of Patanga succincta under farm-based rearing conditions.
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Rearing grasshoppers on different plant diets
Nymphs of P. succincta were reared under a farmer-managed, on-farm production system designed for grasshopper cultivation as a food resource (Figure 2A). The rearing facility consisted of a shaded net-house structure constructed from locally available materials, allowing natural ventilation while protecting grasshoppers from predators and excessive rainfall. This setup represents practical rearing conditions commonly used by small-scale farmers. First-instar nymphs were randomly assigned to four diet treatments based on commonly available host plant resources: ruzi grass (B. ruziziensis; SK1), sugarcane leaves (S. officinarum; SK2), king grass (P. purpureum; SK3), and king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch by weight (SK4). Representative examples of each diet are shown in Figure 1B–E. Ruzi grass (Figure 2B) and sugarcane leaves (Figure 2C) were provided fresh and unprocessed, reflecting typical on-farm feeding practices. King grass was supplied either alone (Figure 2D) or in combination with finely ground corn starch added as an energy supplement (Figure 2E).
Farm-based rearing system and host plant diets used for Patanga succincta production; (A) farmer-managed net-house rearing facility, (B) ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis; SK1), (C) sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum; SK2), (D) king grass (Pennisetum purpureum; SK3), (E) king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch (SK4).
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Each diet treatment included 150 first-instar nymphs divided into three replicates (50 individuals per replicate). Fresh plant material was provided ad libitum and replenished twice daily (07:00 and 17:00), while clean water was supplied continuously throughout the rearing period. Survival, developmental progression, and adult body weight were recorded for each replicate until adult emergence. These data were subsequently used to evaluate growth performance (final weight and weight gain), and relative weight gain (descriptively) across diet treatments as well as survival.
Growth performance
Final weight, weight gain, and relative weight gain: At adult emergence, all surviving P. succincta individuals from each replicate (n = 50 per replicate, three replicates per diet) were weighed individually using an analytical balance (±0.001 g). Mean adult body weight was calculated separately for each diet and sex and used as an indicator of final adult weight.
Dissection of grasshopper guts
The guts from four adult female P. succincta per diet were surface-sterilised with 70% ethanol and dissected under sterile conditions following protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Mahasarakham University (IACUC-MSU), Thailand (Ethical Approval No. IACUC-MSU-077-057/2025). Prior to dissection, adult grasshoppers were killed by brief exposure to −20 °C for 10 min, a method recommended for insect research (AVMA, 2020; Cooper et al., 2019). Entire midgut and hindgut contents were collected aseptically into sterile microcentrifuge tubes, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at −80 °C until further analysis.
DNA extraction and gut microbiome analysis
Total microbial DNA was extracted from gut samples using the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) following the manufacturer’s protocol, with minor modifications optimised for insect gut contents, including an extended lysis step at 56 °C for 2 h. DNA concentration and purity were assessed using a NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific), and samples with
The bacterial community was characterised using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing targeting the V3–V4 region on an Illumina platform (paired-end sequencing), with PCR amplification using universal primers 341F and 806R. Raw sequencing reads were quality filtered using Trimmomatic (v0.33) and primer sequences were removed using Cutadapt (v1.8.3). Quality filtering included removal of low-quality reads based on sliding window trimming and length filtering. After quality filtering, the remaining sequences were processed using the DADA2 algorithm implemented in QIIME2 (version 2020.6) for denoising, paired-end read merging, and chimera removal. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were inferred from the filtered sequences and used for downstream taxonomic analysis. Taxonomic assignment was performed using the SILVA ribosomal RNA database (release 138).
Gut microbiome data were analysed descriptively to illustrate diet-associated patterns in the relative abundance of dominant bacterial taxa. Alpha-diversity indices, including Shannon and Simpson, were calculated using QIIME2 to describe microbial diversity within samples. Because the microbiome dataset was generated as an exploratory assessment of gut bacterial composition associated with different host plant diets, diversity metrics were interpreted descriptively rather than subjected to statistical comparisons among treatments. Accordingly, the microbiome results are presented to highlight general compositional trends associated with different host plant diets and to inform the design of future hypothesis-driven and statistically powered investigations.
3 Results
Growth performance of P. succincta
Growth outcomes differed markedly among the host plant diets in agroecosystems; ruzi grass (SK1), sugarcane leaves (SK2), king grass (SK3), and king grass supplemented with corn starch (SK4) for both sexes of grasshopper. Across all growth metrics, diet exerted a stronger influence than sex, though females generally achieved greater biomass accumulation than males.
Final body weight
Final body weights differed substantially across diets and between sexes (Table 1). Grasshoppers reared on SK4 achieved the highest weights, with females averaging 2.00 g and males 1.50 g. Ruzi grass (SK1) supported relatively high weights (1.57 g for females, 1.20 g for males), while king grass (SK3) yielded slightly lower but comparable values (1.50 g for females, 1.00 g for males). Sugarcane leaves (SK2) resulted in the lowest final weights, with females reaching only 1.13 g and males 0.80 g. Females consistently outperformed males, yet diet remained the dominant determinant of final body mass.
Final adult weight, weight gain (WG), and relative weight gain (RWG) of Patanga succincta by diet treatments (SK1–SK4) and sex
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Weight gain
Weight gain (WG), used as the primary indicator of growth performance, followed patterns consistent with those observed for final body weight across diets and sexes. Grasshoppers fed SK4 gained the most mass, with females increasing by 1.95 g and males by 1.45 g from their estimated first-instar weight. SK1-fed individuals also showed substantial gains (1.52 g for females, 1.15 g for males), while SK3 produced slightly lower gains (1.45 g for females, 0.95 g for males). In contrast, SK2 supported the lowest weight gain, with females reaching 1.08 g and males 0.75 g, indicating the poorest growth performance among treatments (Table 1; Figure 3).
Weight gain (g) of Patanga succincta across four diet treatments (SK1–SK4), separated by sex; SK1, ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis); SK2, sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum); SK3, king grass (Pennisetum purpureum); SK4, king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch; different letters (a–d) indicate significant differences among groups (Tukey’s HSD,
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Relative weight gain
Relative weight gain (RWG) closely paralleled trends observed for final body weight and absolute weight gain across diets and sexes. Grasshoppers fed SK4 exhibited the highest proportional growth, with RWG values reaching approximately 3,900% in females and 2,900% in males. Diets SK1 and SK3 supported intermediate proportional growth, whereas SK2 consistently resulted in the lowest RWG in both sexes (Table 1).
It should be noted that RWG is mathematically derived from weight gain and therefore strongly correlated with other growth variables. However, RWG provides a practical metric for interpreting growth performance in terms of yield increase, as it reflects the fold increase in biomass from hatching to adulthood. The observed RWG values (approximately 1,500–3,900%) correspond to a 20–40-fold increase in body mass, which is particularly relevant for producers evaluating the efficiency of different feeding regimes.
Survival rate of P. succincta
The survival of P. succincta nymphs reared on four diets (SK1–SK4) over a 40-day period demonstrated clear differences among diets (Table 2; Figure 4). Nymphs fed on king grass supplemented with corn starch (SK4) and ruzi grass (SK1) showed the highest survival rates, while those fed on sugarcane leaves (SK2) exhibited the lowest survival. Nymphs reared on king grass alone (SK3) had intermediate survival, comparable to SK1. Differences between male and female survival were minor overall, with only slight variations observed in certain diets. These findings indicate that diet plays a much stronger role than sex in influencing grasshopper survival under rearing conditions.
Survival rate (%) of Patanga succincta by diet treatments (SK1–SK4) and sex
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Survival rate (%) of Patanga succincta by four diet treatments (SK1–SK4) and sex (Male/Female); SK1, ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis); SK2, sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum); SK3, king grass (Pennisetum purpureum); SK4, king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch; bars represent mean ± SD, and different letters denote significant differences among groups (Tukey’s HSD,
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Gut microbiota composition
The composition of gut bacterial communities in P. succincta differed across diets, with distinct trends observed at the phylum, family, and genus levels. These shifts reflect the strong influence of host diet on gut microbiota, with potential implications for nutrient processing, host fitness, and survival. Gut bacterial communities of P. succincta were dominated by two phyla, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, which together represented over 80–90% of all sequences across diets (Figure 5A). Firmicutes were most enriched in SK1 (49.8%) and SK2 (57.2%), encompassing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Weissella and Lactococcus that ferment carbohydrates and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These metabolites enhance nutrient absorption and energy conversion, potentially contributing to the superior growth and survival observed on these diets. In contrast, Proteobacteria were proportionally higher in SK3 (50.6%) and SK4 (56.3%), reflecting their capacity to degrade complex plant polymers but also their association with less stable gut conditions and opportunistic taxa, which may partly explain the moderate performance of SK3 despite sufficient nutrient content. Minor phyla, including Actinobacteriota (≤6.5%) and Bacteroidota (≤1%), occurred at low levels but likely provided auxiliary functions in organic matter degradation and host metabolism.
Comparison of gut microbiota composition of Patanga succincta under different diet treatments (SK1–SK4); SK1, ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis); SK2, sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum); SK3, king grass (Pennisetum purpureum); SK4, king grass supplemented with 5% corn starch; (A) relative abundance (%) of dominant bacterial phyla, (B) relative abundance (%) of dominant bacterial families, and (C) relative abundance (%) of dominant bacterial genera.
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
At the family level, Lactobacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae dominated across diets (Figure 5B). Lactobacillaceae were abundant in SK1 and SK2 (>37-40%), supporting fermentation and pathogen exclusion, which corresponded with the high growth and survival on these diets. Enterobacteriaceae, elevated in SK3 (>55%), were commonly found in insect guts but can indicate a more variable or opportunistic microbial community, possibly contributing to SK3’s intermediate host performance. Streptococcaceae, enriched in SK4 (>20%), may have complemented Firmicutes-driven carbohydrate metabolism, enhancing nutrient use efficiency.
At the genus level, distinct taxa defined diet-specific patterns (Figure 5C). Weissella dominated SK1 and SK2 (>37–40%), aligning with survival and growth. Lactococcus, abundant in SK4 (>20%), supported nutrient absorption and gut health, while Klebsiella, which dominated SK3 (>36%), represented the most abundant genus associated with this diet. Additional genera such as Enterococcus and Pediococcus, present at lower levels in SK3 and SK4, likely contributed supplementary fermentation and digestive functions.
Alpha-diversity indices were calculated to describe microbial diversity within samples. Shannon diversity values ranged from 3.945 to 4.254 among diet treatments, while Simpson indices ranged from 0.820 to 0.913 (Table 3). Overall, microbial diversity was relatively similar across diets, with slightly higher diversity observed in SK3, suggesting a more diverse bacterial community under this diet. However, differences were interpreted descriptively, as the microbiome dataset was exploratory and not subjected to statistical comparison.
Alpha-diversity indices of gut microbiota in Patanga succincta across diets
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
4 Discussion
The present study shows that growth performance and survival of P. succincta, together with associated gut microbial composition, are strongly influenced by host plant diet under farm-based, ad libitum rearing conditions. Across all measured parameters, dietary effects clearly exceeded those of sex, although females consistently achieved greater biomass accumulation than males, reflecting typical sexual size dimorphism and reproductive energy allocation in acridid grasshoppers (Joern and Behmer, 1998). These findings are consistent with previous studies showing that host plant quality is a major determinant of growth efficiency, persistence, and overall productivity in grass-feeding orthopterans Behmer, 2009; (Dillon and Dillon, 2004; Ghosh et al., 2014).
Among the diets evaluated, king grass supplemented with corn starch (SK4) consistently supported the highest final body weight, weight gain, and survival across sexes, with correspondingly high relative weight gain (RWG). This superior performance is most plausibly explained by increased availability of readily digestible carbohydrates and an improved energy-to-fibre ratio, which enhances nutrient assimilation and metabolic efficiency (Behmer, 2009; Raubenheimer and Simpson, 2003). By contrast, sugarcane leaves (SK2), characterised by low protein content and high structural fiber, resulted in the poorest growth and survival, likely due to reduced digestibility and limited nutrient extraction (Hawlena and Schmitz, 2010). ruzi grass (SK1) and king grass alone (SK3) provided intermediate nutritional value, supporting moderate growth and survival consistent with their balanced protein and fibre profiles.
Survival patterns closely mirrored growth outcomes, underscoring the importance of diet quality in determining overall fitness under practical rearing conditions. Diets rich in digestible carbohydrates and moderate protein not only promoted biomass accumulation but also reduced physiological stress, contributing to higher survival. Similar diet-dependent survival responses have been reported in other acridid species, including Oxya hyla hyla, where nutrient-rich host plants enhanced developmental success and persistence (Ghosh et al., 2014). These patterns emphasise the need to match plant nutritional traits particularly carbohydrate availability and fiber content to the nutritional requirements of grasshoppers when evaluating performance in production systems.
The observed differences in growth and survival among host plant diets can be partly attributed to their proximate nutrient composition (Table 4). Carbohydrate, protein, and fiber contents are well recognised as key determinants of energy availability and digestibility in grass-feeding orthopterans. Ruzi grass (B. ruziziensis) and king grass (P. purpureum) provide moderate protein levels (8–12%) combined with balanced fibre content (25–30%), a nutritional profile that supports stable growth and high survival. In contrast, sugarcane leaves (S. officinarum), characterised by low protein (4–6%) and high structural fibre (>30%), were associated with the lowest weight gain and survival, consistent with reduced nutrient assimilation efficiency and prolonged gut passage time.
Nutrient composition of host plants used as diets for rearing Patanga succincta
Citation: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2026; 10.1163/23524588-bja10411
Overall, the nutrient patterns summarised in Table 4. correspond closely with the growth and survival outcomes observed in this study. The superior performance of grasshoppers reared on king grass supplemented with corn starch (SK4) is likely related to enhanced availability of digestible carbohydrates, which increases metabolic energy supply and supports microbial fermentation processes. Conversely, the combination of low protein and high fibre in sugarcane leaves (SK2) constrained nutrient extraction, resulting in the lowest relative weight gain (RWG) and survival. These findings reinforce the conclusion that P. succincta performs best on diets balancing readily digestible carbohydrates with moderate protein and limited structural fibre.
Gut microbiota composition broadly paralleled the observed growth and survival patterns, consistent with trends reported across grasshopper and other orthopteran studies (Dillon and Dillon, 2004; Engel and Moran, 2013; Hance et al., 2025). Across diets, these microbial communities were dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with families such as Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcaceae forming core components, as commonly reported in Locusta migratoria and Oxya spp. (Li et al., 2024; Munir et al., 2024). Diets supporting superior host performance, particularly SK1 and SK4, were associated with higher relative abundances of lactic acid bacteria including Weissella and Lactococcus. These taxa are widely associated with the fermentation of plant-derived carbohydrates, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and the stabilisation of gut environments, which may indirectly enhance nutrient uptake and host resilience, although these functional roles were not directly assessed in this study. In contrast, Enterobacteriaceae-dominated profiles observed in SK3, characterised by genera such as Klebsiella and Enterobacter, resemble microbial states reported in other insects where nutrient utilisation is less efficient despite adequate macronutrient supply.
Alpha-diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson) further supported these patterns, with the highest diversity and evenness observed in the SK3 diet, indicating a more balanced and heterogeneous gut microbial community. In contrast, the slightly lower Shannon index observed in the corn starch-supplemented diet (SK4) suggests a shift toward a less diverse microbial structure, potentially reflecting selective enrichment of specific carbohydrate-utilising taxa. However, given that microbiome data were derived from pooled samples without replication, these diversities pattern should be interpreted with caution.
It should be emphasised that the microbiome analysis in this study was exploratory and descriptive, based on pooled gut samples from adult females. Accordingly, the observed microbial patterns should be interpreted as diet-associated compositional trends rather than definitive causal relationships. Nevertheless, the consistency between dietary nutrient profiles, growth and survival outcomes, and associated microbial signatures suggests that host plant quality shapes P. succincta performance both directly through nutrient availability and indirectly via modulation of gut microbial communities. Future studies incorporating replicated sampling, functional metagenomics, and enzyme activity assays will be required to elucidate the mechanistic links between diet composition, microbial function, and host physiology.
From an applied perspective, these findings have clear relevance for the development of P. succincta as a managed edible insect. Diets based on locally available grasses with adequate protein and digestible carbohydrate content can support efficient growth and high survival under farm-based, ad libitum rearing conditions, without the need for complex feed formulations. Strategic supplementation with simple carbohydrate sources, such as corn starch, offers a practical approach to further enhance productivity and biological efficiency. Collectively, this study supports plant-based feeding strategies as a foundation for sustainable grasshopper production systems for food and feed applications.
5 Conclusion
Host plant diet strongly influences growth performance and survival of the edible grasshopper P. succincta under farm-based rearing conditions. Diets providing readily digestible carbohydrates in combination with moderate protein supported superior biomass accumulation and survival, whereas fibrous, protein-poor plant material constrained performance.
Diet-associated gut microbiota profiles broadly reflected these nutritional effects, with enrichment of lactic acid bacteria and cellulolytic taxa corresponding to improved host outcomes, although these microbial patterns should be interpreted as descriptive and exploratory. This study sheds new light on the relationship between plant-based diets and the gut microbiota composition of P. succincta under practical, farm-based rearing conditions. Overall, these findings emphasise the importance of selecting the right plant-based diet for optimising weight gain and survival and demonstrate the potential of the locally available grasses as a cost-effective feed resource for sustainable grasshopper farming and food and feed applications.
Corresponding author; e-mail: Siripuk.s@msu.ac.th
Acknowledgements
This research project was financially supported by Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Thailand
Ethics statement
Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Mahasarakham University (IACUC-MSU) Thailand, 44150 with ethical approval No. IACUC-MSU-077-057/2025
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