the Bug Brothers

Stag Beetle Battle!

2006-07-06T23:17:00.000+09:00

JARED: This video was on YouTube. It shows kokuwagata (small stag beetles) fighting. The people talking in the video are from Taiwan, so I don't know what they're saying, but it's pretty awesome anyway. I give it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: Three kokuwagata are fighting on the video, but the person doesn't them get hurt. It's cool! I want to make my bugs fight, but I can't, because they'll get hurt. I like it!

Our New Arrivals

2006-06-30T18:11:00.000+09:00

It's 9 Boys & 9 Girls!

After weeks of anticipation, Jared and Everett's kabutomushi (rhino beetles; Trypoxylus dichotomus politus) have finally arrived. (Click here to refresh your memory.) They invite you to share in their joy.

The nursery. (Some of the babies are playing hide & seek in the dirt.)

JARED: Our youchu (larvae) are finished turning into kabutomushi! I'm so excited! They're all different shades of brown and some of them are bigger than others, even though they're brothers and sisters. They can make squeaky noises with their legs, like crickets.

EVERETT: YAY!

Larger than your average bug.

A bouncing baby boy.

JARED: You can tell which ones are boys because of their long horns in front.

EVERETT: Osu (males) are tsuyoi (strong). But their claws hurt.

A beautiful baby girl.

JARED: The girls are big, but they don't have horns. They bury themselves in dirt faster and deeper than the boys. They scratch more, too, and have more hair on their bodies.

EVERETT: I like mesu (females). They're nice, but they won't let go of your hand.

"Takami."

JARED: Mom named this one "Takami" because he's not very big. Takami is her favorite sumo wrestler and he's not big, either. This one's rare, because most boys are big, especially their horns. He was the smallest of all of them. He's our favorite.

EVERETT: Takami makes me happy 'cause he's cute.

Takami and brother.

Takami trying to bulk up by eating jelly.

JARED: Kabutomushi like to eat fruit, but in stores they sell special jelly to feed them that's sweet like fruit. They also eat tree sap and watermelon.

EVERETT: I want to feed them suika (watermelon).

"Snaggle."

JARED: This one's called "Snaggle" because one of the points on his horn is crooked. It's funny.

They grow up too soon--This one's off and flying already.

JARED: Our kabutomushi are super cool. I rate them 6 insect legs out of 6!

EVERETT: I love them!!!

Mom's comments: Because we are leaving Japan soon (and I don't want to be arrested by customs), Jared and Everett will be selling their bugs and putting the profits towards purchasing new pets in the U.S. One male/female pair will be 600 yen. This price includes a small cage, dirt and starter jelly food. You can either pick up your bugs or I can bring them to the Leaver's Party on the 8th or kencho on the 14th. This is a bargain price, so make your reservations now!

Japanese Carabid Beetle

2006-06-19T21:02:00.000+09:00

Damaster blaptoides.

JARED: This bug is called a maimaikaburi. In English it's sometimes called a fiddle beetle because it's shaped like a fiddle. Mom saw it crossing the street when she was driving, so she pulled over and caught it. It was about 7cm long. It eats snails and worms. It has a funny pointed butt that looks like a kissing fish. It was fast like a gokiburi and it makes a lot of noise at night. It's a little creepy, but I kind of like it, too. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: Oshiri (its butt) looks like it hurts. He hurts katatsumuri (snails). But I think kuwagata (stag beetles) can kill him because he doesn't have hasami (pinchers). But he's still tough. I like him!

Red Longhorn Beetle

2006-06-18T08:20:00.000+09:00

Purpuricenus spectabilis.

JARED: Mom's friend Laura took this picture in Hiroshima. It's a longhorn beetle called herigurobenikamikiri. In one of my bug books it says that it is 13-19mm long and is found all over Japan. It's season from May to July. When they are larvae, they eat bamboo, so adults usually lay their eggs in bamboo. I've seen lots of kamikirimushi (longhorn beetles), but not this kind. It looks like it has a face on it's back, and it's really colorful. I give it 5 legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a tentoumushi (ladybug) because it's red and black and has spots. But it's a kamikirimushi. It has nagai antennas (long antennae). I like it!

Violence & Cruella: Our Pet Ookuwagata

2006-06-10T16:50:00.000+09:00

Dorcus hopei binodulosus

JARED: These bugs are named Violence and Cruella. They are our pet Ookuwagata (Great Stag Beetles). Everett's friend from preschool gave them to us.

EVERETT: My friend, Dai-chan gave me them because he likes me.

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"Violence"

JARED: Violence is a boy. You can tell because of his huge pinchers. He is about 7 and a half centimeters long. You have to be careful when you hold him, or he'll pinch you. Also, he might scratch you with his claws. They are like hooks, and they get stuck to your clothes easy. Everett's been pinched by Violence a whole bunch of times. I've never been pinched by him though. Ookuwagata live longer than regular kuwagata. These ones should live a couple of years. I definitely rate him 6 insect legs! I also give him 2 pinchers!

EVERETT: It always looks like Violence is mad! He looks like an oni (demon) because of his pinchers. He pinched me like, um, 48 times. It hurt a little bit, but not too bad. Amari itakunai (Didn't hurt very much). I like him a whole bunch!

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"Cruella"

JARED: This is Cruella. She's a girl. Girls don't have very big pinchers. She's about 4 and a half centimeters long. She's the kindest kuwagata I've ever seen. But her claws still hurt. I rate her 6 insect legs and 2 pinchers--the same as Violence!

EVERETT: Cruella looks cute and nice. She tickles me on my face. She's a little bit strong, but not as strong as Violence because she's small. I think she's sansai (3 years old) because she's not big yet. Violence looks 4 years old. (NOTE: Everett is 4.) I like her a lot!

Suzumebachi: the World's Largest Hornet

2006-06-06T22:00:00.000+09:00

Vespa mandarinia

JARED: I saw this suzumebachi (Asian Giant Hornet) near the high school in our village. It was about 3 and a half centimeters long. I've seen bigger ones, but this one was still scary. Everett and I stood back while our mom took pictures of it. Suzumebachi are dangerous. Every year there are people who die from their stings. But I think it was weakened by something, because it didn't attack like suzumebachi normally do. Right now there are a lot of these insects flying around. One hit our windshield when we were driving, and it didn't even get hurt--it just flew away. I rate this insect 4 legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like an Oosuzumebachi (Great Asian Giant Hornet). It looks like he's mad, so we have to stay away. It's abunai (dangerous) because it bites. His antennas look like tsuno (horns). I like it!

If you haven't seen it yet, view National Geographic's "Hornet's from Hell" documentary video about these amazing insects.

For other posts on this species of insect, visit here and here.

Namitentoumushi

2006-05-29T16:33:00.000+09:00

Harmonia axyridis spectabilis.

JARED: This ladybug is called a namitentoumushi. It was by our house. It's different than normal ladybugs because it's black with red spots, not red with black spots. Ladybugs are good because they eat bugs that harm plants. So they are good for gardens, but they pee on you when you bother them. I rate it 3 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a black tentoumushi (ladybug). I like it when they fly away. Sawatara, tonde ikun yo. (If you touch them, they'll fly away!) I like it!

To see other kinds of ladybugs, click here and here.

Prepare for Invasion!

2006-05-24T05:11:00.000+09:00

Statililia maculata.

JARED: This is a kokamakiri (baby praying mantis). Everett found it in our backyard. That means that there's going to be a whole bunch pretty soon. He's tiny but he looks just like an adult. I'm excited for them to come out. I rate it 5 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like he's licking his hands in the last pictures. I like kamakiri because they kill anything. But this one's kawaii (cute). They eat chouchou (butterflies), bata (grasshoppers), and kumo (spiders), but kumo can eat bata, also. Zenbu tabemono o tabetara, okiku naru yo ne (If they eat all the food, they will become big, won't they?)! I like it!

See previous praying mantis posts here and here.

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail

2006-05-18T16:25:00.000+09:00

Papilio xuthus.

JARED: This butterfly is called a namiageha in Japanese. In English, it has 3 names: Chinese Yellow Swallowtail, Citrus Swallowtail, and Asian Swallowtail. Mom saw it when she was walking to the train station in Houhoku. This kind of butterfly is in season from April to October. It looks like a hummingbird when it flaps its wings quickly. It's beautiful, so I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a zebra butterfly. He's colorful. He's smelling the flower. I like him!

Oozoumushi

2006-05-15T19:42:00.000+09:00

Sipalinas gigas.

JARED: This is an Oozoumushi (a type of weevil; lit., "big elephant bug"). It is the biggest kind of weevil in Japan. We found it near the high school in our town. This kind of bug lives 1 to 2 years. He is over 3 cm long. He eats plants by digging holes into them with his long nose. He also likes tree sap. At night, he likes to be in light. I rate this bug 4 insect legs out of 6 because of its impressive size for a zoumushi.

EVERETT: I found it on the ground by my mom's school. I thought he was going to bite me, but he didn’t. He is a hard bug and bumpy. Looks like a kabutomushi (rhino beetle) with a broken tsuno (horn). I like it!

To see a previous post about a different, much smaller zoumushi, click HERE.

Battle Bugs!!!

2006-05-01T22:42:00.000+09:00

JARED: Lots of kids in Japan collect fighting bugs called kuwagata (stag beetles) and kabutomushi (rhinoceros beetles; lit., "helmet beetles"). A lot of different kinds are sent to Japan from other countries. Kuwagata have pinchers. Kabutomushi have horns. When we were in Fukuoka, Mom and I paid to go inside tents filled with fighting bugs. We even got to pick some of them up.

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Seakafutamatakuwagata JARED: This bug was about 9 centimeters long. He's from Thailand. He was really aggressive and acted like he was going to attack whenever you came near.

EVERETT: Hasami ga itai kedo (his scissors hurt, but), it looks like he's being nice. Chokin mitai ne (it looks like he's cutting).

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Machikitsusurubanekuwagata
JARED: This one has small pinchers, but he can hurt you really bad. He's about 10 centimeters long. I'm holding him in the picture below.

EVERETT: He likes to climb trees. He's strong.

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Miyamakuwagata

JARED: This bug is native to Japan. He's about 8 centimeters long. He's really agressive.

EVERETT: It looks like he wants to pinch. He's pokey. He's mean, but I wanna hold him because he'll only hurt me a little bit.

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Gurantoshirokabuto & Herekuresukabuto

JARED: This is Gurantoshirokabuto (Grant White Rhinoceros Beetle). He's the only kabutomushi that is from America. He lives in the southwest part of the United States. He's about 6 centimeters long. He's my dad's favorite. I like him a lot, too.

EVERETT: I like Gurantoshirokabuto, but he's not as strong as some other bugs. I want him to always, always win fights.

JARED: Above is a picture of Gurantoshirokabuto (left) with Herekuresuookabuto (right--"Hercules Rhinoceros Beetle"). Herekuresu is from South America. He's usually about 19.5 centimeters long, but this one was smaller. They probably only let us play with small ones because regular ones cost A LOT! The one below costs 23800 yen (about $238 US). It's the most popular kabutomushi because he's the strongest. I even have a picture of one on the shirt I'm wearing.

EVERETT: Herekuresu is super strong. He can fly. He's my favorite. I wish I could have one in my bedroom and play with him. I want to make him fight. I wish.

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Atorasuookabuto

JARED: These guys are from the Philippines. They're about 8.5 centimeters long. I like them because they're really shiny and look like devils. They're really tough because he can squeeze stuff with his horns. Mom's holding one in the bottom 2 pictures. The other moms didn't hold bugs, probably because they were scared.

EVERETT: They look like dinosaurs (Triceratops?). They fight like dinosaurs, too.

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Nokogirikuwagata
JARED: These guys are from Japan. They're the basic kind here. He's about 7.5 centimeters long. I used to have one for a pet. His name was "Pinch". I miss him because he died. I want to find some more in the forest.

EVERETT: This is my favorite kuwagata.

JARED: These guys are awesome, so I rate them all 6 legs, 3 horns, 2 pinchers, and a pair of wings!

EVERETT: I LOVE THEM!!! But I don't wanna kiss them because they might pinch my lips.

The Tale of a Strange Lizard

2006-04-26T20:25:00.000+09:00

As narrated by Jared

We saw this lizard during spring break on the sidewalk by Hiroshima Castle.
Dad picked it up to have a look at it.
Everett wanted to hold it, so Dad handed it to him. It bit him really hard, but Everett didn't let go!
After that, it liked Everett and sat on his shoulder.
People asked to take pictures of us with the lizard, so we let them.
The lizard decided to climb down the back of Everett's shirt.
He liked to stick his head out and look around.
We went to Miyajima, and the lizard crawled on Everett's head. It scared old ladies.
We thought the lizard left, but it didn't. You can see it peeking out of Everett's pocket in this picture. It rode all the way home with us on the train.

We wanted to keep it as a pet, but Mom wouldn't let us. Everett put it on a tree by our apartment and it climbed up high until it was on top of our roof. That was the weirdest lizard I ever saw.

Kawatonbo

2006-04-24T06:54:00.000+09:00

Mnais strigata.

JARED: This is a kawatonbo (lit., "river dragonfly"). We found it in the national forest near where we live. My dad is holding him in the pictures. You can tell its a boy by its shiny green body and orange wings. But some of the boys have clear wings. The girls have brown bodies and brown wings. I think his eyes look like fish eggs. His legs are even hairier than my dad's fingers! I rate him 4 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: He's a tonbo (dragonfly). He's pretty because he's kira kira (shiny/sparkly). I got to hold him in my hand. I couldn't pinch him, or he would die. He was nice. I like him.

A Closer Look at an Ibotaga

2006-04-16T17:26:00.000+09:00

Brahmaea wallichii

JARED: This moth is called an ibotaga. We talked about this kind of insect before in December. We found this one on the lighted side of our apartment building at night. It was flapping its wings to try and stay warm. I'm holding it in the pictures. His antennae look like giant eyebrows. He scares off birds who want to eat him with his eyes. I rate him 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like it has a person's face because it has eyes. I like his stripes. He's fuzzy. He looks like a leopard. I like him!

Destined For Greatness: Kabutomushi no Youchu

2006-04-03T13:45:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is a kabutomushi no youchu (Rhinoceros Beetle Larva). We found 19 of them last weekend in the forest buried next to a rotting tree stump. We are keeping them until they turn into adult kabutomushi. Kabutomushi are some of the largest beetles. Kids in Japan keep them as pets and like to have them fight each other. They look gross to me, but I can't wait until they're beetles. They have 6 legs, just like adult insects. There's 9 dots on each of their sides that they breathe through. These larvae poop 8,000-10,000 times in their lives and will eat about 3 liters of wood and dirt. I rate them 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's kimochi warui (gross)! But I like youchu (larvae). It's as big as my hand. I like it because it turns into kabutomushi!

Underneath.

The head has a hard shell covering it.

They bury themselves in dirt until they're adults.

Jared & Everett digging the larvae out.

All 19 larvae. If you look closely, you can see 2 of them pooping.

Trypoxylus dichotomus. (Adult rhinoceros beetles.)

Uchiwaebi

2006-03-19T08:53:00.000+09:00

Scyllarus ciliatus

JARED: This isn't an insect, it's a crustacean. Everett and I each got one from an ojiisan (old man) at Karato Fish Market yesterday. They were still alive. In English, they're called slipper lobsters. In Japanese, they're called uchiwaebi (lit., "fan shrimp"). I think they're called that because when they move they fold up like a Japanese fan. These ones were about 15 cm long, but I read they can get up to 18 cm. They look like lobster tails. It kept flapping and made me drop it. I ate some of it for dinner. It didn't have any taste. I didn't like it because I was sad it had to die. I rate it 6 legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's an uchiwaebi. I got it from a fisherman. It looks like a kani (crab) because it's orange. It's kawaii (cute). Mine was cuter than Jared's. I cried because we had to eat them. I wanted them for pets. I think they got mad at us. They tasted like ebi (shrimp). They were oishii (delicious), but they looked yucky. I like them!

Baby Nihonkanahebi

2006-03-17T20:35:00.000+09:00

Takydromus tachydromoides

JARED: I caught this lizard the other day when I was playing at my friend's house across the street. Lizards are called reptiles, not insects. This one's called a Nihonkanahebi (Japanese grass lizard). It's only a baby. I like it's ears because they look like just holes in its head. It was tiny. I can't wait until it gets warmer and there's big ones everywhere. I give it 4 out of 6 legs.

EVERETT: That tokage (lizard) has a long tail. He looks scared because Jared caught it. Jared let me hold it 'cause he's cool. We couldn't keep him 'cause Dad said he would die because he's too little. He had to go home. I like it because he's a cute baby!

To view a post about an adult Nihonkanahebi, click here.

The lizard in Everett's hand.

In Jared's hands.

Akashimasashigame

2006-03-12T12:13:00.000+09:00

Haematoloecha nigrorufa

JARED: This is an akashimasashigame (lit., red island assassin bug). We found it when we were hiking in the woods. It was inside of a rotting tree that also had mukade (poisonous centipedes) and youchuu (larva). It was about an inch (10mm) long. Sashigame (assassin bugs) are related to kamemushi (stinkbugs). This one looks cool, but I don't like him very much because he bites. I rate him 2 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: I think that bug will bite. I think it has doku (poison), so I don't want to touch it. He has dokubari (a poison needle). I don't like doku stuff, but I like him because I think he's sleeping.

Here's links to other posts about assassin bugs: 1, 2.

Urihamushi

2006-03-11T16:30:00.000+09:00

Aulacophora indica

JARED: This insect is called an urihamushi (lit., melon/squash leaf beetle). I found it in our backyard. I saved it from a green bucket of rain water. I'm holding it in all the pictures. It eats plants, so some people don't like them. I like this one because it's shiny and cute. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a small beetle. It's orange. I like orange. I like it!

Mom's Comments: Things are warming up and we're starting to see more bugs. Hopefully this means Jared and Everett will be able to post more often.

If you want to see a previous post about a different hamushi, click HERE

Yokozuna Sashigame

2006-02-19T15:47:00.000+09:00

Agriosphodrus dohrni

JARED: We saw this sashigame (assassin bug) last Spring on a tree in Kyoto. It's called a yokozuna sashigame (lit., grand champion stabbing turtle). It was about 2 centimeters long. Assassin bugs bite and are poisonous. If a sashigame bites other bugs, their insides will turn into liquid and the sashigame will suck them out. They can even kill and eat bugs that are bigger than them. Sometimes they eat gokiburi (cockroaches). It has a shiny body. I like its white stripes. I rate it 2 insect legs out of 6, 'cause it bites. Just ask Everett. Watch out for them!

EVERETT: That bug will bite you! One bit me at school. I don't like it!

Mom's Comments: Click here to see a previous post about a different kind of assassin bug.

Enmakoroogi

2006-02-15T18:20:00.000+09:00

Teleogryllus emma.

JARED: We took this picture of a koroogi (cricket) during summer. It's called an enmakoroogi. They're the most common kind of koroogi in Japan. You can tell it's a girl because it's tail thing is longer than a boy's and it's bigger than a boy. It's song is, "Korokorokororii!" It can bite you, but I like it because it's shiny and has spikes on it's legs. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a koroogi. It can jump, but not high. It's loud at night. I want to pick him up with a net so he jumps. I like him!

Mom's Comments: Click here to see a partial koroogi being eaten by a praying mantis.

Funamushi/Sea Slater: Cockroach of the Beach

2006-02-13T22:08:00.000+09:00

Ligia Exotica. Photo courtesy of Ellen.

JARED: This is a funamushi (sea slater). It lives by the sea. It walks like a gokiburi (cockroach), and it's really fast! They don't like the light, either. They usually hang out in a big group. I like them, but they're gross! I rate this 3 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a funamushi, but it looks a little bit like a gejigeji (house centipede, click here for picture) or gokiburi. When there's a lot of them together, they look like they're arguing. I don't like them because they're yucky!

Mom's Comments: Click here to see a previous post about funamushi.

Aburazemi: A Preview of Japanese Summer

2006-02-11T21:38:00.000+09:00

Aburazemi (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata). Photo courtesy of Ellen.

JARED: This is a semi (cicada). There aren't any around now because winter's too cold, but there's TONS of them in Japan when it's summer! They aren't very smart and they run into things all the time when they fly, but they're still cool. They scream, so they can meet other semi. This semi is called an aburazemi. It lives from July to August and is 36-38mm long. My insect book says its song is, "Jii-jiri-jiri-jiri!" I give this insect 4 insect legs out of 6 because I like it's song.

EVERETT: It looks like that semi is white and black and brown. The lines on its wings look like kumo no su (spiderwebs). I like them when they live in our trees. I like it!

Mom's Comments: There are many different varieties of cicada in Japan. Unlike with cicadas in the U.S. which appear only once every seventeen years, Japanese cicadas can be found in abundant numbers every year. Their single goal is to find a companion by using a high-pitched mating call (think Psycho shower scene). And, boy are they noisy!

What Japanese bug are YOU?

2006-02-06T23:04:00.000+09:00

JARED: Hello Everybody! Long time no see. I just finished helping Mom make a bug quiz at Quizilla.com for our site. I took it and found out I'm most like a kabutomushi (see below). Click HERE to check out our quiz yourself! Please tell us if you like it.

MOM: Last one there's a gokiburi!
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You're a KABUTOMUSHI (rhinoceros beetle)! You're big and bold with a tough exterior, but you're tenderhearted underneath. It takes a while for others to get to know you, but once you've befriended someone, they have your loyalty for life. You prefer peace but aren't afraid to defend your territory. You have few worthy competitors or true predators. Perhaps your biggest danger is your human fans who like to collect you.

What Japanese Bug are YOU?
brought to you by Quizilla

Australian Green Tree Frog

2006-01-11T17:43:00.000+09:00

JARED: Steph sent us these pictures of a green tree frog she found in her friend's toilet in Australia. Its eyes look like marbles. I like his circle ears. They're cool. His stomach look like sticky chewed gum and his feet look like alien feet. I rate him 4 insect legs out of 6, but he's an amphibian, not an insect.

EVERETT: It's a aogaeru (tree frog)! It looks like he's happy. I want it on my arm! I like him!

Hungry for some grub?

2006-01-10T20:37:00.000+09:00

JARED: Ellen said we could borrow these pictures from her blog. She took them when she went to Thailand. In Thailand, they sell these fried bugs for food! In the top picture on the left are some sort of mealworms. On the top right it looks like fried silkworm cocoons. The picture below looks kind of like cockroaches, but I think they're tagame (waterbugs). Ellen said they were as long as her palm! I don't want to eat any of them, but if I had to, I'd eat the mealworms first. I like the pictures, but I don't like the food, so I rate them 2 out of 6 insect legs. Yuck!

EVERETT: The big ones look like gokiburi (cockroaches)! Oishikunai (they're not delicious)! I don't like to eat bugs. I don't want to eat mukade (centipedes) or gokuburi! I don't like them!

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Mom's comments: I thought I would add this picture of a tagame (waterbug) so that you could decide for yourself if it is one of the above delicacies. Bon apetit!

Lethocerus deyrolli

Tree Weta

2006-01-09T08:55:00.000+09:00

Hemideina crassidens

JARED: A family from Canada sent these pictures to us. They are living in New Zealand right now and found this bug. If you want to see their website, it's at www.bnjendouble.blogspot.com. The bug is called a tree weta. Weta are a cross between cockroaches and crickets. I've never seen an insect like this before. It looks like a hornet, but it's not. Its legs look like grasshopper legs. The long pointy thing on its butt looks like a stinger, so it scares its enemies away. I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6 because it looks cool and I've never seen one.

EVERETT: It looks like a hachi-batta (bee-grasshopper)! It looks abunai (dangerous)! I like it!

Mom's Comments: If you'd like to read more about weta, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weta.

Gomashijimi

2005-12-28T10:49:00.000+09:00

Maculinea teleius

JARED: This butterfly is called a Gomashijimi. We saw it at Chofu gardens. It was about an inch (2.56 cm) long. Its wings are blue on the inside, but it flew off before we could get a picture of them. I like the dots on its wings. They look like black sesame seeds. Maybe that is why part of its name is goma (sesame seed). I rate it 3 insect les out of 6.

EVERETT: Its wings are pretty. It's brown and white and brown. Black, I mean. It looks like he's gonna take off flying. Totemo ii (very good). I like it.

Tentoumushi

2005-12-21T19:44:00.000+09:00

Coccinella septempunctata

JARED: These are tentoumushi (ladybugs). They are a kind called nanahoshitentoumsuhi. Everyone likes them because they kill bad bugs and they are cute. But there's one thing I don't like about them--sometimes they pee on your hands. I hate that! I rate them 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: Tentoumushi are mecha kawaii (very cute). They look a little bit like kame (turtles), except they're red. I like them!

Katatsumuri

2005-12-20T19:54:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is a katatsumuri (snail). We found it at Chofu gardens. Its shell was about 5 centimeters across. It has four antennae. It looks slimy. Some people eat snails for food. I ate sea snails before, but not this kind. I don't want to eat this kind. The bumps on its skin make it look like a tongue. I rate it 3 insect legs out of 6, but it doesn't really have any legs.

EVERETT: It's a katatsumuri. It looks like a dendenmushi (a smaller kind of snail). It looks like its neck is blue. The shell looks marui (circular). I like it.

Painted Lady Butterfly

2005-12-19T16:01:00.000+09:00

Cynthia cardui

JARED: This butterfly is called a Himeakatateha in Japanese. In English, it's called a Painted Lady. My dad caught it. It was tame, probably because it was weak and abou to die. It has circles on the back of its wings. They look like the circles on peacock feathers. The front of its wings are colorful, but the backs have lots of different browns in it. Probably so it can camouflage to hide from its enemies. It's pretty, so I give it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a chouchou (butterfly)! It looks kirei (pretty). Its shokakku (antennae) are white at the end. I like it! There's 4 pictures, like our family: Mom, Jared, Everett, Dad!

Ibotaga

2005-12-15T17:03:00.000+09:00

JARED: This ga (moth) is called an ibotaga. Mom saw it in Houhoku on her way to work. It was about 5 centimeters long. I like the "eyes" on its wings. They look like cat eyes. It's decorated like a leopard. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's black and gold and brown. It looks like a chouchou (butterfly) because it has wings. The circles look like eyes. I like it.

Brahmaea wallichii

Himegumo

2005-12-14T18:28:00.000+09:00

Achaeranea japonica

JARED: This spider is called himegumo (princess spider) in Japanese. We found it near a graveyard. It was about half a centimeter long. It's a girl because the boys are smaller. It's a peach color with a little white and gray in its body. Its butt is big and its legs are long. I rate it 3 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a kumo (spider). It has a little head. Su (webs) come out its butt. He has stripes on his legs. I don't want him to bite me, but I want to touch him. I want him to touch me, also. I like it!

Fukurasuzume

2005-12-11T17:40:00.000+09:00

Arcte coerulea

JARED: This is a fukurasuzume. It's a kind of moth. Everett's holding it. Dad found it at the high school he teaches at. It is about 1.5 inches (38 mm) long. Usually these mothes only live until October, so this one was lucky. But he probably died after we let him go, because he didn't move much. Its eyes looks like brown ikura (salmon eggs). Its legs look like twigs. Its antennae look like a curly mustache. I rate this bug 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: I liked holding him because he's cute. His belly looks like it has bird feathers. He has a long nose. I like it.

Ookumoherikamemushi (Another Stink Bug)

2005-12-06T17:29:00.000+09:00

Anacanthocori striicornis

JARED: This kamemushi (stink bug) was on our door outside today. It's called an ookumoherikamemushi. It looks different than other stink bugs, but you still shouldn't smash them or they'll stink. He was about 2.5 cm long. He looks a little like a batta (grasshopper) from the side. I give him 2 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a kirigirisu (katydid). I like how it walks. It's a bug. I like it.

Leaf Beetle

2005-12-04T16:21:00.000+09:00

Aulacophora nigripennis

JARED: This leaf beetle is a kind of hamushi called kurourihamushi. We saw it at Chofu gardens. It's very shiny. His head is yellow, but his body's black. His head looks like wax. I rate it 3 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a black and yellow bug. It looks like it's eating the flower. It looks kira kira (shiny/sparkly). I like it.

Water Skippers

2005-12-03T15:46:00.000+09:00

Aquarius paludum

JARED: These are amenbo (water skippers). They were in a pond at Chofu Gardens. They can jump on water. There was a lot of them. They're kind of like batta (grasshoppers) that hop on water. They're ugly and not very interesting, so I rate them 2 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: My sensei says these are amenbo. They're gray. They can jump. I don't like them because they're hard to catch.

Japanese Grass Lizard

2005-12-01T17:24:00.000+09:00

Takydromus tachydromoides

JARED: This is a nihonkanahebi (Japanese grass lizard). I saw it outside and Everett caught it. It's not an insect--it's a reptile, but it eats bugs. In the first picture it looks like he's dead. You can see its yellow belly. Its feet look like a frog's feet. I like the longest toes on its back feet. They look funny. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a tokage (lizard)! I caught it. He likes to lay down. I think he's playing dead. I want his tail to fall off. We couldn't keep him, but I didn't have to kill him. I like it!

"Four Eyes"

2005-11-28T18:53:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is a haetori (jumping spider, lit. "fly take"). It was on our wall in our house. I like its four eyes. I also like it because they can jump really far. It has brown eyes like Everett. I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It has a lot of eyes. It looks like he wants to eat. Its feelers look like tsuno (horns). He wants to jump. He's tsuyoi (strong). I like it. He's cute.

Muuashirohoshitentoumushi (A Golden Ladybug)

2005-11-25T17:32:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is a muuashirohoshitentoumushi (don't know the English name--just some sort of golden ladybug). Dad saw it underneath a leaf at Chofu gardens. It looks beautful. I like its white spots. It's rare. I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a tentoumushi (ladybug), except it's different colors. It looks cute and he has white circles. He needs his family. I like him! He's beautiful.

Zoumushi: the Elephant Bug

2005-11-24T20:15:00.000+09:00

JARED: This bug is from the zoumushi (weevil; lit. "elephant bug") family. Everett found it today. When you see it close, it looks scary, but it's really small. They're a bad bug, so Dad told Everett to kill it after we took its picture. I give it 1 insect leg out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a zoumushi. It looks like he has a long nose. He liked my sweater. We couldn't keep him, but I like him.

View from further away to give perspective. (It's on Everett's sleeve.)

Dark Evening Brown Butterfly

2005-11-19T19:19:00.000+09:00

Melanitis phedima

JARED: This butterfly is called kurokonomachou in Japanese. In English, it's name is "Dark Evening Brown". Mom and I caught it at a shrine in our village. He looks like a nanafushi (stick bug) in the second picture. He looks like part of a tree in the first picture. He wouldn't open his wings, so Dad had to open them for us to take a picture. He flew like a leaf falling from a tree. I rate him 4 insect legs out of 5.

EVERETT: It looks like his wings are leaves. He wanted to go outside when he was in our house. He said, "I wanna go outside!" I like him!

Japanese Emerald Damselfly

2005-11-17T20:33:00.000+09:00

Lestes sponsa

JARED: This aoitotonbo (Japanese Emerald Damselfly; lit. "blue dragonfly") was at Chofu garden. It looks beautiful. It's slim, but it has big eyes and wide wings. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: The tonbo's (dragonfly's) butt it blue. He has big, big eyes. He can fly fast. I like him.

Crabby Kani

2005-11-16T20:08:00.000+09:00

JARED: We saw this kani (crab) down the street from our apartment. In the summer there are lots of them. It's a girl--You can tell because it has a wide underside. I like it because his eyes look cool. She looks scary, but Mom, Everett and Dad pick these kind of crabs up with their hands! I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6, but it's not a bug.

EVERETT: It looks like he's a spider because he has lots of legs. I think it's looking at something. It looks mad. I like it!

Gecko!

2005-11-15T16:34:00.000+09:00

JARED: This yamori (gecko) was on the side of our house at night. Its tail looks like it's been broken before, that's why it's short. It looks like a baby alligator. It's eyes scare me closeup. It eats bugs. I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6 because it prevents too many bugs.

EVERETT: I like the tokage's (lizard's) eye. It looks like he wants to say hello. His tail's broken. I like him.

Mom's Comments: For those of you who are familiar with my blog--don't get too excited. This is NOT the same gecko that's been hiding in our house. That one is still at large.

Beware of the Stink Bug!!!

2005-11-14T15:54:00.000+09:00

Halyomorpha halys

JARED: This is a kamemushi (stinkbug). Everett saw it at my school when he came to watch my play. If you see a bug like this, NEVER touch it or smash it because it will stink and you will be gassed out! There are lots of different kinds of kamemushi. This one's called a kusagikamemushi. It's kamemushi season, so watch where you step. I rate this insect 0 legs out of 6 because it's gross!

EVERETT: It's a brown and black kamemushi. In English, it's a black beetle. He smells good. (?!) You can touch him and he smells. But if he's kitanai (dirty), you can't touch him. I like him.

Nagakoganegumo VS. Suzumebachi

2005-11-13T19:28:00.000+09:00

JARED: Mom and I went to an old jinja (shrine) in our town and saw this nagakoganegumo (yellow & black orb spider/golden orb weaver spider) wrapping up this suzumebachi (Asian/Japanese Giant Hornet) in its web today. I'm glad the spider won because suzumebachi are dangerous! I rate this fight 6 out of 6 insect legs!

EVERETT: It looks like the suzumebachi's tsuyoi (strong) and he's doing judo. It looks like he's winning in judo. It looks like the spider's doing judo, too. I like this fight! It's cool!

Mom's Comments: I was told this is the most dangerous time of season for suzumebachi, so be careful everyone! Oh, and Everett has been known to have an overactive imagination from time to time, which might explain his above remarks.

Wasp

2005-11-11T17:10:00.000+09:00

Eumenes decorata

JARED: This is a suzubachi (wasp). We caught it in the woods, but had to wait until it died to take pictures of it. It looks scary. It's funny because he has a pointy bottom. I give him 3 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like it's sleeping. He's brown and black and kiiro (yellow). I don't like it because he'll get my arm right here (Everett points to forearm.) But I like him because his bottom is weird.

Katydid

2005-11-08T20:28:00.000+09:00

Holochlora japonica

JARED: This kirigirisu (katydid) is called a satokudamakimodoki. It was found outside in our yard. He was missing a leg. Katydids look like green leaves. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's a kirigirisu. He looks like he's clean. He looks like he's eating a leaf and looking. I like him.

Long-Headed Grasshopper

2005-11-05T18:01:00.000+09:00

Attractomorpha lata

JARED: These are onbubatta (Long-Headed Grasshoppers). Everett caught them at hoikuen (preschool). Onbu means "piggyback". Batta means "grasshopper". They like to do onbu a lot. The big one's a girl and the small one's a boy. The girls get bigger than the boys. I think they're funny, so I rate them 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It's onbubatta. They want to do the onbu. They look nice and weird. I like them!

Assassin Bug

2005-11-04T17:12:00.000+09:00

JARED: This sashigame (Assassin Bug) was at Everett's preschool. He bit Everett. His teachers didn't know if it was dangerous or not, so they caught it to show the doctors if Everett got sick. He didn't get sick. He took it out of the cage and played with it more at home and it bit him again. It was small, but it looks big in the picture. It looks like it has snow on it. I rate it 1 insect leg out of 6 because it's ugly and it bites.

EVERETT: It's a bad bug because he bit me. Spiders are fun, but this bug isn't fun. Spiders don't bite me. He's ugly, not cute. I don't like it.

Japanese Red Dragonfly

2005-11-03T19:18:00.000+09:00

Sympetrum eroticum

JARED: My family went to Chofu gardens today and saw this dragonfly. I have seen this kind of dragonfly before. My friends usually just call it akatonbo (red dragonfly), but its real name is mayutateakane. Its body looks like it's been painted bright red. I like the black spots on the tips of its wings. I give it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: He has 4 wings. I like them. He has big eyes. I like him because he can't eat me. (?)

Giant African Land Snail (Don't Worry, It's Not In Japan)

2005-11-02T17:00:00.000+09:00

Achatina fulica

JARED: Mom's friend Gillian sent this picture for us. Her friend in Uganda took it. We found out it's a Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina Fulica). Their shells can get up to 20 cm long. They usually live about 5 years, but can get as old as 7 before they die. It's really, really big! It has a cool shell. It's kind of gross, but it's still cool, so I give it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like katatsumuri (snail) or dendenmushi (snail). It's very dekai (huge)! I wish it was bigger. I like it! I like it!

Slimy Slug

2005-11-01T16:41:00.000+09:00

JARED: Dad saw this namekuji (slug) in the woods at night on a tree. It looks slimy like snot. It was about 4 inches (10 cm) long. I give it 2 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a kemushi (caterpillar) because of its antennas. It's kimochi warui (gross). I think it's disgusting. I like it. I don't know why. I don't see his eyeballs.

Happy Halloween!

2005-10-31T19:24:00.000+09:00

Prosopocoilus inclinatus

JARED: This was our pet nokogirikuwagata ("saw" Stag Beetle). He died last month. Now he's mummified, so we thought he would be good for a Halloween picture. He was a good pet. Everytime he fought other bugs, he won, except for once against our kabutomushi (Rhinocerous Beetle). You can tell he is a boy because the girls have really small pinchers. He was cool, so I give him 6 out of 6 insect legs, even though he's dead.

EVERETT: He was a good pet, but his body broke. He's a nokogirikuwagata. His head broke off, so we had to glue it back on. Sometimes he pinched me. I liked it when he pinched me. I like him!

Giant House Centipede

2005-10-30T14:08:00.000+09:00

Thereuopoda Clunifera

JARED: This is an oogejigeji. A gejigeji is a house centipede. An oogejigeji is a giant house centipede. We found it in a graveyard at night. I think it looks really scary. It eats spiders and other bugs. It has 15 sets of legs and can climb fast. It's too creepy, so I give it 2 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a spider with a whole bunch of legs! It's kawaii (cute). I wanna hold it in my hand. It looks like dokusama (poisonous living thing). I like it!

Mom's Comments: The Japanese phrase "gejigeji mayu" means "bushy eyebrows". I bet you can guess why.

Blue Admiral Butterfly

2005-10-29T18:23:00.000+09:00

Kaniska canace

JARED: These are pictures of a ruritateha (Blue Admiral Butterfly) we caught. In the bottom picture, it looks like its wings are made of wood. The inside of its wings have a lot of blue on them, so it's a female. Males have less blue on their wings. I think it's beautiful, so I rate it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a ga (moth). It's blue and brown. It looks like it has little hasami (pincherss) on his mouth. I like it.

Carpenter Bee

2005-10-28T18:37:00.000+09:00

Xylocopa appendiculata

JARED: We saw this kumabachi (Carpenter Bee; lit. "bear bee") by Doigahama Beach. I like the butt because the pollen looks like a flower. I like the brown/black wings. It's shiny and fuzzy. I rate it 3 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a kanabun (Japanese beetle) because it's shiny. It's yellow like Pu-san (Winnie the Pooh). I like it!

Scampering Sea Slater

2005-10-27T17:44:00.000+09:00

JARED: This funamushi (sea slater) was by the ocean. We found it at night with our flashlight. They are a lot like gokiburi (cockroaches). They don't like light and they run fast. Look at all it's legs! It has green dots on its back. I like them, but my mom doesn't. I give it 4 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like an ebi (shrimp) kani (crab)! I don't like it, but I like killing 'em!

Japanese Wolf Spider

2005-10-26T21:31:00.000+09:00

Agelena opulenta

JARED: This is an kokusagumo (Japanese Wolf Spider). We saw it by near the beach at night. I've seen ones like this at my school before. I like the black stripes on its back and its shadow is cool. I give it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a big kumo (spider) with broken legs. But it's a small spider. Little spiders are yowai (weak). I like it!

Closer Look at an Emperor Moth

2005-10-24T20:15:00.000+09:00

Antheraea yamamai

JARED: This yamamayuga (Emperor Moth; literally "mountain eyebrow moth") let us pick it up. It's antennae look like leaves. I give it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a hachi (bee). It looks like a ga (moth). Its shokkaku (antennae) look like hanabi (fireworks). I like it!

Mom's Comments: This type of insect was previously featured in the Bug Brothers blog. However, this particular specimen allowed for close-up photos. For a different perspective, refer to the October 6th entry.

Blue Glassy Tiger

2005-10-23T19:11:00.000+09:00

Ideopsis similis

JARED: This is a ryuukyuuasagimadara (Blue Glassy Tiger Butterfly). We caught it in the woods. Its body has whit dots on it, just like its wings. Doesn't my dad look pretty with it by his ears? Ha-ha! I give it 5 out of 6 insect legs, 'cause it's beautiful.

EVERETT: The chouchou (butterfly) is brown and white and black. It's pretty. It's funny on Dad's head. I like it.

the Notorious B.U.G. (Mukade)

2005-10-21T18:50:00.000+09:00

Scololpendra subspinipes

JARED: This is a mukade (poisonous centipede). This exact kind is called aozumukade. We found it near a graveyard. Dad boiled it to kill it so we could take pictures of it. It's medium. We had one in our house that was a lot bigger than this one, but we didn't take pictures of it. It looks ugly. It's not scary because it's dead, but it was scary when it was alive. They're very fast and dangerous. I rate it 1 insect leg out of 6 because I hate mukade.

EVERETT: It's tsuyoi (strong), but I think it's dead. It's scary ugly. It's yucky. I like it. Yup. Don't touch a mukade, but if you wanna touch a gokiburi (cockroach), go ahead. It won't bite you.

Great Mormon Butterfly

2005-10-20T18:32:00.000+09:00

Papilio memnon

JARED: We caught this nagasakiageha (Great Mormon Butterfly--yes, this name is real) in the mountains. In the pictures it's in our house on the light and the curtains. I think it's pretty. I think the orange parts on the wings look like scary jack-o-lantern eyes. I rate it 4 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like Halloween. It's a chouchou (butterfly). It's a "Butterfree" (butterfly Pokemon). I like it!

A Very Large Earwig

2005-10-18T21:28:00.000+09:00

Anisolabis maritima

JARED: We found this hasamimushi (earwig; literally "scissor bug") in the woods. It is the 2nd biggest one I have ever seen. It is shiny. The pinchers look like a mukade (poisonous centipede) tail. I give it 2 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It's like a gokuburi (cockroach). It's brown and orange and black. It's long. I don't like it because it might pinch me. It's bad.

Asian Giant Hornet (aka Japanese Giant Hornet)

2005-10-17T17:19:00.000+09:00

Vespa mandarinia

JARED: These are suzumebachi (Asian Giant Hornets). They are dangerous! They can kill you. They are the biggest hornets in the world. My dad caught these 4 in the mountains near our home. We had to wait until they died before we could take pictures. They chase you when they are alive. I like the hair on their heads. They are scary, but I give them 4 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: These are scary hachi (bees). They are yellow and black and brown and yellow. They are kowai (scary). I saw them outside. I'm scared, but I like them.

Mom's Comments: Check out this link for more info and some fascinating video footage: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1025_021025_GiantHornets.html

Huntsman Spider

2005-10-16T09:55:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is an ashidakagumo (Huntsman Spider). We found it at night near our house. They usually like to live in houses. They look scary, but they hunt hae (flies) and gokiburi (cockroaches), so they are good. We've had three of them in our house before. They're really fast. I rate it 5 out of 6 insect legs, even though spiders have 8 legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a big, big kumo (spider), like this (Everett spreads out his hand). It has brown on it. I like him eating gokiburi, but I don't like him very much.

Heropoda venatoria

Black and Yellow Orb Spider

2005-10-13T20:37:00.000+09:00

Argiope bruennichii

JARED: This is a nagakoganegumo (black and yellow orb spider). There's a lot of them where we live. It looks like it's wearing an ojiisan (old man) mask. It eats bad bugs. It has bee stripes. I rate it 4 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a kumo (spider). Its stripes look like a kumo no su (spiderweb). It's a "Spiderman". I like it! I'm all done now.

Back view of the spider.

Sanran (egg sack) of a Black and Yellow Orb Spider.

Zorak the Mantis

2005-10-12T17:31:00.000+09:00

Tenodera angustipennis

JARED: Ellen sent me this cool picture of a kamakiri (praying mantis). My mom says it looks like a character from a cartoon called "Space Ghost". It looks like it's about to get a bug. I give it 5 insect legs out of 6!

EVERETT: It looks like a kamakiri. It looks like it's gonna fight. I like it!

The character "Zorak" from the classic cartoon "Space Ghost".

Tiger Beetle

2005-10-11T17:07:00.000+09:00

Cicindela chinensis

JARED: We found this hanmyou (tiger beetle) in the mountains by our town. It eats other mushi (bugs) and their youchu (larva). It was fast and hard to catch. It looks like a shiny rainbow bug. Its jaw is scary. I rate it 5 out of 6 insect legs!

EVERETT: I think it's kawaii (cute). It is red and black and blue. See? I like its pinchers. I like it!

Mom's Comments: I found out this bug is sometimes called michioshie (road teach) because if you encounter them while walking along a mountain path, they will jump ahead of you, leading the way.

Crane Fly

2005-10-10T19:53:00.000+09:00

JARED: This gaganbo (crane fly) was at my mom's school during the bunkasai (cultural festival). This exact type is called kiriujigaganbo. That is my dad's finger next to it. In one of my books about bugs it says "most adults live only a few days and probably do not eat." It also says they are 1/4 - 2 1/2 inches long, so this one is big. I think it looks like very large ka (mosquito). It's okay, but I rate it 1 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a tonbo (dragonfly) ka (mosquito). I like it and don't like it.

Tipula aino

Praying Mantis & Prey

2005-10-09T20:25:00.000+09:00

Tenodera angustipennis
JARED: Everett found this kamakiri (praying mantis) the wall of our apartment building. It is eating a koorogi (cricket) leg. It is giant! I give it 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: This kamakiri is dekai (huge)! It killed the koorogi. I like it!

Spider in the Dark

2005-10-08T20:11:00.000+09:00

JARED: I saw this kumo (spider) near the ocean when I was walking with my mom and Everett at night. It wasn't very big. In the picture, it looks like it has red eyes, but it doesn't. The kumo no su (spiderweb) looks cool. I give it 2 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a "Spiderman". The web looks like legs. The spider has red on its body. I like it.

Walking Stick

2005-10-07T18:56:00.000+09:00

JARED: Everett found this nanafushi (walking stick/stick bug) this summer near Akiyoshidai caves. It tickled my face. I rate it 5 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like a stick. It's funny. I like it!

Baculum irregulariterdentatum

Emperor Moth

2005-10-06T16:52:00.000+09:00

JARED: We saw this yamamayuga (Emperor moth; literally "Mountain eyebrow moth") outside Joyfull restaurant. It was about 15 centimeters across. I thought it was cool because it was way bigger than a butterfly. Its body was covered with yellow fuzz. It was soft.
I give this bug 5 insect legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like a butterfly. It's nice. The circles look like the kemushi (see 10/04 entry) eyeballs.
I like it!

Antheraea yamamai

Yellow & Black Sphinx Moth

2005-10-05T20:09:00.000+09:00

JARED: At first I thought this suzumega (Sphinx Moth) was a hachi (bee), but it is a ga (moth). It's called an oosukashiba. I found it in our yard. I like its fuzzy body. I rate it 4 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: I think its antennas look like a kamakirimushi's (a long-horned beetle's). I like it!

Cephonodes hylas

Horned Caterpillar

2005-10-04T19:10:00.000+09:00

JARED: This is a youchu (caterpillar/larva). I found it in the courtyard by our apartment. It has a tsuno (horn) on its back end. The two dots on its front end look like eyes.
I rate it 3 out of 6 insect legs.

EVERETT: It looks like kemushi (caterpillar). It is! It is! The circles look like eyes.
I like it!