Cherry Caterpillar (Phalera Flavescens) モンクロシャチホコ（紋黒鯱）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I couldn't believe my eyes. These are so called cherry caterpillars, larvae of Phalera flavescens or a moth. They eat cherry leaves so voraciously from August to October that some trees cannot survive, which is understandable, because I saw several branches covered by the larvae😱!

But more surprisingly, they're edible and some even say they're yummy😱!!! When roasted over a fire, they are traditionally noted for a subtle, pleasant flavor and aroma reminiscent of cherry blossoms from feeding on cherry leaves. This leaves me with a question. Who tried them first? How courageous the person is for trying them!

I went there on the following day, finding all the branches with the larvae having been removed. I don't know whether to feel glad or sad...

2026/8/19

Japanese Bindweed ヒルガオと虫たち

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The Japanese bindweed (Calystegia pubescens) is native to east Asia and can be found across Japan, producing pale pink flowers from June to August, which attract a variety of bugs, e.g.,  common straight swift butterflies and a marmalade and other hoverflies, as shown in these pictures.  

2026/7/9

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) 木槿（ムクゲ）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is native to China, came to Japan at the beginning of the Heian period (794 to 1185), and can be found across Japan. The plant produces simple and double flowered white and pink flowers from July to October and its flowers are used for display at Japanese tea ceremonies in summer.  

2026/7/1

Stilt Bug (Berytidae) A Head is Hidden but a Butt Sticks Out. イトカメムシ 頭隠して尻隠さず

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

A stilt bug on a lemon balm leaf. The 1st photo is the bug on the leaf, entirely visible. The 2nd photo is after the bug hiding under the leaf, which can be described in a Japanese saying "Atama kakushite shiri kakusazu," which translates into "A head is hidden but a butt sticks out," meaning a half-hearted attempt at hiding.   

2026/6/1

Bushkiller (Causonis Japonica) ヤブガラシ（薮枯）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Bushkiller (Causonis japonica) is native to Japan and can be found across the country. The plant produces flowers from June to August in Japan, which are pale green at first, turning orange and then pink. (Scroll down to see such various colors of the flowers!) Bushkiller's Japanese name is "yabu garashi," which translates into "bush covering and killing other plants" due to its invasiveness.   

2026/5/27

A crane fly on bushkiller　ヤブガラシの上のガガンボ

Red Deadnettle (Lamium Purpureum) ヒメオドリコソウ（姫踊子草）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is native to Europe and came to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and now can be found across Japan. The plant resembles henbit deadnettle very much but their leaf colors differ. Red deadnettle's leaves are (as the name suggests) reddish while henbit deadnettle's leaves are green. I often mistook red deadnettle for henbit but not anymore. The 6th photo shows myrmecochory, i.e., the dispersal of seeds by ants.  

2026/2/23

2026/3/15

Black Bee or Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae) 黒いハチ？カミキリムシ？

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Many of the hydrangeas in my neighborhood have started to dry, so I was passing by them when finding something resting or hanging in on a sepal of a hydrangea. I can't tell if this is a black bee or a longhorn beetle but can tell it had a strong will not to fall off, which made me chuckle. 

2025/6/13

Red Japanese Camellias (Camellia Japonica) 赤いツバキ（椿）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

A Japanese camellia tree in my neighborhood has produced one flower to another, creating the beautiful contrast between the red blooms surrounded by the deep green leaves against the blue sky (2nd photo). I also found something. Small bugs were on the stamens on several blooms, basking in the sun. 

2025/1/14

2025/1/14

I'm Philosophyzing 哲学してます

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is the second or third time this month to see bugs resting on leaves, but this fly on a leaf of Carolina horsenettle was so still that I named it "a philosophizing fry😆."  

A philosophizing fly?　哲学するハエ？

A Lake Fly on Mountain Doghobble (Leucothoe Fontanesiana) ユスリカとセイヨウイワナンテン（西洋岩南天）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

It's unusual for me to come across an unknown plant in my neighborhood these days. It's also unusual for me to be able to take clear photos of a bug on a plant. (Bugs usually fly away before I can take such pictures). Today, though, I was able to do both, i.e., take pictures of a lake fly (Chironomidae) on flowers of mountain doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana). It's a good day😊.

A lake fly on mountain doghobble　ユスリカとセイヨウイワナンテン（西洋岩南天）

We Love to Bask in the Sun! 日向ぼっこ大好き！

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

Not only humans but also bugs love to bask in the sun, like this ladybug and the dragonfly (2nd photo)! I usually take a walk in the early morning before dawn, but went out at around 9 a.m. today to have a flu shot. I hate shots but was lucky to see them!  

It didn't move an inch 微動だにせず

Unusual to see dragonflies in November in Japan! 11月のトンボは珍しいです

Mini Bugs Hanging, Resting and Ready to Take-Off! ちっちゃい虫さん、集合！

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

I don't see flowers these days. Instead I often see berries and small bugs like these!!

Leafhanger? 落ちる？

I'm busy having breakfast... 朝ごはん中です｡｡｡

Another bug hanging on a firethorn berry... これも落ちる？

Resting on a hibiscus leaf 芙蓉の葉っぱで一休み

Ready to take off! 離陸します！

All of these bugs are about 1cm long, so I would not have noticed had I walked as I usually do, but that day I got up before 5 a.m., so I had plenty of time to slowly walk to pay attention to each leaf and petal....

Walking allows me to appreciate things all around me and to restore myself in solitude... I like both and I need both.... 

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最近花を見かけることが少なくなり、代わりにいろいろな実や虫を見かけるようになりました。

上の虫たち、みんな１センチぐらいです。普段だったら気づかなかったと思うのですが、その日は５時前に起きたので周りを見ながら歩く余裕がありました。

朝の散歩には二つ意味があります。花や虫たちと出会えること、そして一人になって自分を取り戻すこと😉 両方好きです。

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Busy Bugs! 虫は大忙し！

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

We are busy fighting coronavirus. Bugs are also busy with their lives.  

Tiny caterpillars after the feast 宴の後