KOTA BARU: It has been suggested that the seasonal hobby of keeping an exotic insect known as the deer grasshopper could be elevated and promoted as part of Kelantan’s cultural heritage.
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s (UMK) Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science Studies head Dr Goh Soon Heng said the hobby is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generation as it is relatively affordable and plays a meaningful role in strengthening community bonds.
“These grasshoppers are commonly found in rural areas and people take pleasure in listening to their distinctive sounds.
“From a simple pastime of collecting them, it has evolved into organised competitions aimed at bringing together enthusiasts within the community.
“The involvement of the young is very important as they are the ones who will ensure this unique cultural tradition continues to thrive and develop,” he told Bernama recently.
On the competition format, Goh said the winner was not judged based on physical size, but rather on the uniqueness, clarity and frequency of the hissing sound the grasshopper produces.
“This competition is very unique because it is usually held at night with the lights turned off. Participants cannot see the grasshoppers, they can only rely on sound to distinguish them.
“The assessment is divided into two main categories, namely the tone or melody produced and the frequency of the sound.
“The judges count how many hissing sounds the grasshoppers produce within a period of 30 seconds,” he added.
On the scientific aspect, Goh said adult deer grasshoppers could grow up to 8cm and have an average lifespan of 11 to 12 months.
For the captive breeding process, the insects require a conducive small ecosystem, including adequate leafy food sources as well as soil or sticks for female grasshoppers to lay eggs.
He explained the important role of the endemic insect in the ecosystem chain, where it acts as a natural regulator of the population of wild plants and harmful weeds, while also serving as a food source for birds and other insectivorous animals.
“Conflict will only arise when their original habitat is destroyed. Without a natural food source, these insects will move to vegetable farms and risk becoming pests,” he said.
Goh also corrected a misunderstanding surrounding the consumption of grasshoppers, saying the species usually fried and eaten by villagers is actually the “turmeric grasshopper”, which is commonly found in rice fields.
