Kota bharu: In this age of AI and information technology, the phenomenon of keeping and competing exotic insects known as 'deer grasshoppers' is still a seasonal hobby here and has the potential to be promoted as the identity and sustainable cultural heritage of the state of Kelantan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Goh Soon Heng, Head of the Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science Studies at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), stated that the trend is increasingly gaining ground among the younger generation as it is an affordable hobby, apart from playing an important role in strengthening local community ties. Originally, these grasshoppers were commonly found in rural areas, where people enjoyed listening to their sounds. The activity has evolved from a simple hobby of collecting into a competition uniting the grasshopper fan community.
Commenting on the competition format, Goh explained that the winner is judged not based on the physical size of the grasshopper, but on the uniqueness and frequency of the hissing sound produced. This competition is unique because it is held at night with the lights turned off, requiring participants to rely solely on the sounds of the grasshoppers. The assessment is divided into two main categories: the melodiousness of the tone and the frequency of the sound, with judges counting the number of hissing sounds a grasshopper can produce in 30 seconds.
Touching on the scientific aspect, Goh shared that adult locusts can grow up to eight centimeters and have an average lifespan of around 11 to 12 months. For captive breeding, a conducive small ecosystem is necessary, including a variety of leaf food sources and mediums such as soil or sticks for female grasshoppers to lay eggs. He also highlighted the important ecological role of these insects as controllers of wild plant populations and as a food source for birds and other insectivorous animals.
Goh addressed public misconceptions about eating grasshoppers, clarifying that the species typically consumed is the 'turmeric grasshopper' found in rice fields, not the deer grasshopper. While the activity is gaining popularity, he cautioned against overexploiting deer grasshoppers in their natural habitat, as excessive capture could disrupt the ecosystem chain. Currently, the commercial demand for deer grasshoppers is low, as the community prefers to catch them themselves, but demand may increase if the wild population declines.
Looking ahead, Goh expressed confidence that deer grasshopper conservation can endure as a healthy cultural activity, fostering community awareness and appreciation for the sounds of nature over the next five to 10 years.