Determination of growth performance of house crickets (Acheta domesticus) reared on banana peelings.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the growth performance, feed utilization, survival, egg laying and hatching of house crickets (Acheta domesticus) reared on banana substrate. The experiment was carried out at Busitema University, Faculty agriculture and Animal Sciences, Arapai Campus, over a period of eight weeks. Three feeding treatments were used: 100% maize bran (T1), 100% banana peelings (T4), and a mixture of 50% maize bran and 50% banana peelings (T9). The experiment followed a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. A total of 450 crickets were used, with 50 crickets stocked in each replicate. Data were collected on weekly weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, days to first laying, laying-to-mortality interval and days to egg hatching. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that the type of substrate affected cricket performance. Crickets fed on 100% maize bran recorded the highest total weight gain (8.68 g), the best overall feed conversion ratio (1.03) and the highest survival rate at week eight (44.7%). Banana peeling based diets recorded lower growth and survival, with T9 having the lowest survival rate (27.3%) and the poorest overall FCR (3.01). However, crickets fed on banana peelings reached sexual maturity earlier. The average days to first laying were 49.33 days for maize bran, 46.00 days for banana peelings and 43.00 days for 50:50 (banana and maize bran), with a significant difference among treatments (p = 0.044). Differences in laying-to-mortality interval and days to egg hatching were not statistically significant. The study concludes that maize bran was the most suitable substrate among those tested for producing heavier and more surviving crickets, while banana peelings showed potential for promoting earlier sexual maturity. Banana peelings may therefore be considered as a supplementary feed ingredient, particularly were reducing feed costs and promoting early breeding are important. Further studies should investigate different levels of banana-peeling inclusion, larger numbers of replicates, and the nutritional and economic value of the substrates.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Mwende, J. (2026). Determination of growth performance of house crickets (Acheta domesticus) reared on banana peelings. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.