Jackie's Japan Journal: Japanese Bugs

I hate bugs of any kind and size. Even the ones that other people find cute or pretty, such as butterflies or ladybugs, make me shiver.

Japan has many kinds of bugs. For the boys growing up, summer was a time to go and catch things. The most popular are these massive beetles.

Two kinds of beetles are popular, rhinoceros beetles (kabutomushi) and stag beetles (kuwagata). These are sold as pets!

There are fireflies, which I will admit are rather fascinating, and praying mantis, which I really don't like.

The ones that I really don't like and make me want to move out of Japan are the more dangerous ones.

One of them is the Japanese Giant Hornet (suzumibachi). These are big, up to 4cm long, with a 6cm wingspan. Their venom is injected through a quarter-inch stinger! Up to 40 people are killed each year by these hornets! More than bear attacks and snake bites combined!

Another one that is poisonous but not as lethal is the Japanese Centipede (mukade). They can grow up to 20 cms long. They like dark, damp areas and are rather quick and nimble.

We have already had a run-in with a couple of centipedes. I found one in the bathroom the other day. It was dead, but still had me screaming for David to move the dead body!

Then Mikey told me that the other night, Steve (our white cat) came to Mikey's bed. By the low night light, Mikey could see something black in Steve's mouth. Steve jumped on Mikey's bed and dropped a massive centipede on the pillow! Mikey jumped off the bed and saw the centipede dash away under the chairs! I have no idea how Mikey managed to sleep after that!

As the weather warms up, I am sure we will see a lot more of the different insects come out. I have no courage at all when it comes to these creepy crawlies! I try, I get the spray and tell myself I can deal with them but as soon as they move I run away, screaming and shouting for my Mommy. Makes everyone laugh!

At least the beautiful flowers in the garden make up for the insects!