落とし穴６５堀：ぼくらの夏休み１ 昆虫王者の説明 (Part1)
Pitfall 65: Our Summer Vacation 1 – Explanation of the Insect King
Our Summer Vacation 1 – Explanation of the Insect King
"Kabutomushi," also known as the "King of Insects."
It shares its popularity with the "Kuwagatamushi" (Stag Beetle).
For Japanese children, it is the longing of summer.
Scientific name: Trypoxylus dichotomus (L.1771)
Japanese name: Kabutomushi
English name: Japanese rhinoceros beetle
To explain in detail, the word "Kabutomushi" is written with the characters for "armor" and "bug" (helmet beetle). It is the standard Japanese name for a species of insect classified under the order Coleoptera, family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae, and tribe Dynastini. In a broader sense, it is a general term for insects classified within the subfamily Dynastinae.
They are large beetles, and the adults emerge in summer, becoming a primary target of popularity among children.
The origin of the Japanese name comes from the large horn on its head, which makes it look like a traditional Japanese helmet (kabuto).
Distribution
They are distributed from Honshu southward to Okinawa Island, and their presence is also recognized in other parts of Asia outside of Japan.
It seems they have been artificially established in Hokkaido since the 1970s.
They inhabit broad-leaved forests from mountainous areas below 1,500 meters in altitude down to the plains. As for why the English name includes "Japanese," there are various theories, but it is likely because they have been cultivated nationwide for agricultural purposes since the Edo period, indicating a deep connection between the beetle and Japan.
Morphology
The body length is about 30 to 54 mm for males (excluding the horn) and 30 to 52 mm for females.
The most characteristic feature is the male's horn.
This horn is used for competing over feeding grounds or females.
In short, it exists for battle.
*Excerpted and simplified from Wiki.
Side: Firia
"So, what does this mean? You’re explaining bugs to us, but I don’t understand the point at all."
Seraria-anesama listened to Onii-sama’s explanation with a look of confusion.
Firia doesn't really get it either.
I don't understand why bugs are so popular with children in Japan.
Bugs are a nuisance because they eat the crops.
"…Wait a minute. You went through the trouble of explaining this because you want to take a break, so you intend to do something about these Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi, right?"
"Exactly. We're going to go catch them."
"…No, why!? And what is with those outfits you're all wearing!?"
"…Taiki-sama, why are you dressed like that?"
"Um, Taizo-do…san. Why are you wearing just a t-shirt and shorts?"
Yeah.
For some reason, Onii-sama, Taiki-onii-sama, and Taizo-ojichan are all wearing t-shirts and shorts, even though their styles are different.
When Firia and the others looked at them curiously, all three puffed out their chests and said:
" " "The formal attire of summer vacation." " "
…???
I still don't really get it.
There is summer vacation at the Weed school, but I’ve never heard of such an outfit being considered formal attire.
"Bugs are dirty, aren't they? Are you going to eat them like locusts, too? I really don't want that. And if you put them on the dinner table tonight, I’ll cry."
Firia would definitely cry too.
I can't bring myself to eat boiled locusts as they are.
They stare at me. Just like the heads of fish…
"Calling them dirty is hurtful. Well, perhaps they might be considered unclean by some, but as I said, Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi are a time-honored tradition used in agriculture from the Edo period to the present day."
"…Why is that?"
"Seraria-dono. That is because Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi are said to be the superior version of earthworms."
"I don't understand that at all."
Most of us, including Seraria-anesama and Firia, didn't understand, but Kaya-anesama and Ria-anesama made sounds of realization.
"…I see. It’s proof that the soil is rich."
"I’ve heard of that. Where I’m from, they told us never to kill earthworms if they came out of the fields. Earthworms eat the leaf mold on or in the soil, break it down further, and excrete it, turning it into good nutrients for the crops."
"As the two of you said. I don't know about modern Japan, but when I was a child, we used to raise Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi and scatter their eggs in the fields. Naturally, the harvests were bountiful."
Wow, earthworms and beetles are amazing.
They play a part in nurturing the fields.
"Even in modern Japan, it’s said that land where Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi live is proof of rich soil, and it’s considered a kind of honor."
"…Um, Taiki-sama. I understand that story, but why do you have to go and secure these insects yourselves?"
Airi-anesama is right.
If there is a proper reason, they should delegate the work to others.
Onii-sama and the others are always busy, so they should properly take a rest.
"No, Airi. To the people here, Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi are just lumped together as 'bugs,' right?"
"Ah, that’s true…"
"In foreign countries, even the autumn night performances of bell crickets, bush crickets, and grasshoppers are just called noise."
"Ah, I’ve heard of that. Well, that can't be helped. Those types of insects are the kind that ruin fields."
"So, that’s why we, who know the difference, are going to go catch them ourselves."
"Naturally. It will serve as a breather for us, so it’s fine. Hifi-do…san."
"Oh, is that so?"
For now, the newlyweds Taizo-ojichan and Hifi-anesama are very fresh and innocent.
"That’s right. Kabutomushi are insects that become adults in the height of summer!!"
"And that’s when Japanese students are on summer vacation!!"
"Indeed. So, we would go into the mountains, catch big Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi, and play by competing to see whose was bigger or by having insect sumo matches. This is a staple of the Japanese summer vacation!! It helps with the field work, too—killing two birds with one stone!!"
That’s amazing!! Finding Kabutomushi and Kuwagatamushi, competing on size, and insect sumo—I don't really know what that is, but it sounds fun!!
"Onii-sama!! Firia is going too!!"
"…I am interested as well."
"Then, count me in too."
And so, several others from among us decided to join.
Unfortunately, Labyris-chan and Shera-chan, who hate bugs, did not participate.
"…Well, if it serves as a breather for you all, I don't mind. But!! When you get back, wash your hands thoroughly, and do not bring the Kabutomushi into the house!! The children are still small, so do you understand?"
"Understood."
With that, Firia and the others began our preparations.
Though, saying we were preparing professional tools like "insect cages" and "insect nets" sounds a bit grand, we just grabbed some simple items.
The participants from our side were Riel-anesama, Kaya-anesama, Ratz-anesama, Ria-anesama, Cleena-anesama, Samantha-anesama, as well as Aslin and myself. Plus, Taiki-onii-sama’s wife, Airi-anesama.
Hifi-anesama did not participate. It seems she has trauma regarding locusts. …It can't be helped. She had been forced to eat them as a penalty game until now.