The wide-bodied golden ray cricket, also known as the Phnom Penh large grasshopper or the wide-bodied grasshopper, is a medically significant aquatic species with considerable economic value. Its blood-strengthening and blood-saving properties have led to increased use in traditional medicine, making it highly sought after. However, natural populations are rapidly declining due to overfishing, water pollution, and habitat destruction, leading to an inability to meet market demand. As a result, artificial breeding has become essential. Based on field observations and available research, this article provides an overview of the biological characteristics and artificial propagation techniques of the wide-bodied golden ray cricket, offering useful insights for breeders interested in cultivating this species.
First, let's explore the biological features of the wide-bodied golden ray cricket.
1. **Morphological Characteristics**: The wide-bodied golden ray cricket is an aquatic creature that can also move onto land in moist environments. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Leechidae, within the class Annelida. Its body is slightly spindle-shaped, with a flat abdomen and soft texture that allows it to stretch or contract depending on its activity. The body consists of multiple segments, each marked by distinct rings. Adults typically range from 6 cm to 20 cm in length, with some individuals reaching up to 30 cm when fully stretched. Their body width varies between 1.3 cm and 2 cm. The dorsal side is dark green with five yellow and black stripes—two on each side and one down the middle. A yellow longitudinal band runs along each side of the body. The abdomen is light yellow, dotted with irregular dark green spots. The front and rear ends of the body develop into suction cups used for attachment and movement. The front sucker is small and surrounds the mouth, which contains two rows of blunt teeth for piercing the host’s skin. The rear sucker is larger and more powerful, with the anus located behind it. These crickets do not have specialized respiratory organs and rely on cutaneous respiration. They have five simple eye points on the back of the head, which help detect light direction and intensity. Movement occurs through swimming, ulnar motion, or peristaltic movement, allowing them to navigate both water and land.
2. **Habitat and Living Habits**: These creatures prefer warm, shallow, and quiet waters with abundant vegetation and aquatic life, particularly snails and soft-bottomed areas. They thrive in temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. When water exceeds 30°C, they may escape to cooler areas, while below 10°C, they enter a hibernation-like state. After spring, when temperatures stabilize above 14°C, they emerge from the soil. They are carnivorous, feeding on mollusks like snails and river snails, and can even consume vertebrate blood. Their reliance on skin respiration means they don’t require high levels of dissolved oxygen, though they can tolerate low-oxygen environments for short periods. They can survive in moist conditions without water by breathing through their skin. They are adaptable to a wide pH range (4.5–10.1), but prefer slightly acidic water around 6.5–7.0.
3. **Reproductive Behavior**: These crickets are hermaphroditic, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs. They mate through allogamy, with internal fertilization. Mating occurs at around 14°C, where two individuals align their bodies and exchange sperm through their respective gonopores. After mating, they lay eggs in loose soil, creating a small burrow about 50–80 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. The female secretes mucus to form an egg sac, which is then sealed by glands on the front and rear suckers. The eggs hatch naturally within the soil, usually after 20 days or more, depending on environmental conditions. This breeding cycle highlights the importance of controlled artificial cultivation to sustain population numbers and meet growing demand.
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