White-Banded Hunter Hawkmoth (Theretra Oldenlandiae) セスジスズメ（背筋雀）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Impatiens hawkmoths or white-banded hunter hawkmoths (Theretra oldenlandia) can be found across Japan. Their caterpillars are beautifully black with a stark contrast with orange spots at first and turn brownish before burrowing into the ground and pupating. The adults are cool, looking like fighter aircrafts, and can be found from May to October in Japan.   

2026/8/25

2026/8/5

Greater Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Lachesis) クロメンガタスズメ（黒面形天蛾）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I believe this is a caterpillar of a bee robber or greater death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia lachesis). I've seen many caterpillars and always find it difficult to know what it is but this is an easy one because of its size. 

A larva of the bee robber is as long as 10 cm - 12 cm and changes its color. The caterpillar in the photo is on a stem with its head on top. Its Japanese name is "kuromengata suzume," translating to "black face hawkmoth" after a black (or skull) face on its thorax. Unusually, its English and Japanese names coincide, which makes me want to see its adults.

2025/10/12

2025/10/17

Slug, Caterpillar, Beetle, and Snail & Anpanman and Einstein 小さな生き物たちとアインシュタイン

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

It's not rainy season yet in Tokyo, but I often see slugs and snails these days and today two slugs in Half Lord of the Fishes pose (1st and 2nd photos)!!

The other photos are of caterpillars, beetles, and snails at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden. Looking at these small things reminded me of a very famous Japanese song titled "Tenohira wo taiyo ni (Holding up your hand to the sunlight)" because the song is about every living thing, i.e., mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

The lyrics were written by Takashi Yanase, best known as the creator of the anime series "Anpanman." I didn't see why "Anpanman" was so popular among children and the song "Holding up...." was still sung by many people, but knowing his background as a veteran of WW2 and his experience in overcoming a series of diseases, I see why he could create such great manga and lyrics.

Those with experience of war including Yanase and my grandfathers and grandmothers, are mostly dead while those with no such experience trying to amend Japanese constitution to be able to use military force for purposes other than self-defense, but Japanese need to do something before amending the constitution, i.e., improving IT and English literacy. Albert Einstein said, "A clever person solves a problem while a wise person avoids it." I couldn't agree more.

2025/5/28

2025/5/28

A Caterpillar's Moving アオムシのお引越し

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I found this caterpillar🐛 after jump roping in a nearby park! Usually, I can't take clear photos of bugs, but it was walking (or running?), I was able to see and take clear pictures of its face (last photo). The caterpillar was moving toward a bush to maybe avoid the heat.

A caterpillar's moving　アオムシのお引越し

Don't Stand Out! - An Orange and Black Caterpillar イモムシくん、目立ち過ぎでしょ！

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Some areas in my neighborhood have been redeveloped, meaning everything on the ground is got rid of regularly to create space new high-rise residential or commercial buildings. I found this caterpillar in one such area. But don't underestimate the strength of weeds (which is why I love them)! They've grown so fast that now the area is a haven for not only weeds but also bugs including this beautiful orange and black caterpillar. My only concern is that it could attract unwanted attraction from predators because of such conspicuousness (2nd photo). 

Hungry Caterpillar😊 腹ペコ芋虫

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a REAL hungry caterpillar😊 Although slow, it was actually eating a leaf! And I realized something. I haven't read The Very Hungry Caterpillar!! I rushed home, logged into my library account, reserved the book, and was surprised to find that I was the 27th on the waiting list😂!!

A Caterpillar Hanging from a Plant 芋虫がぶらーん

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I take a morning walk every day unless it rains and while walking I look down to find tiny but beautiful plants. Then I found this. Can you see it? If not, look at the second and third photos. I couldn't find what it was, but it's beautiful and funny, isn't it?! I want to be floating in the air like this!

Can you see it? 分かります？

Bug, Bug, Bug!! 虫がいっぱい！

Japanese follows English.　英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I see flowers everyday, but most of them are dying or dead. Instead, I've seen many bugs recently, some also dead while others moving or eating ....

Attached to leaf, it's dead この姿勢で死んでます