ecology

A miraculous insect that repels frogs? The reason why the spiny grasshopper uses "playing dead" and "spines"

Are you familiar with the grasshopper known as the spiny grasshopper? It's a relatively common creature in Honshu, especially in rice paddies. Surprisingly, this species has been found to protect itself from predation by frogs through a combination of two mechanisms: spines on its body and a behavior called feigning death...

2022.06.02

animal

What are the differences between Impatiens textorii, Impatiens noli-tangere, and Balsam? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! While the flowers are supposed to be exclusively for bumblebees, many other insects also sneak onto them! The competition between Impatiens textorii and Impatiens noli-tangere was fierce!

Impatiens textorii, Impatiens noli-tangere, and Balsam are three species with boat-shaped flowers. At first glance, all three flowers look similar, and Impatiens textorii and Impatiens noli-tangere are particularly alike, as they sometimes inhabit the same wetlands. However, they can be distinguished by carefully observing the overall hairs and the color and shape of the flowers. Also, just looking at the leaves...

2022.05.29

plant

11.2000 *Yukatayamashirogumo* (a type of spider), female, adult.

The rare spider Euphyllia japonica, which preys on its victims by spinning silk from its mouth, can be found in your home!

When you imagine a spider, how do you picture it producing silk? A common misconception is that it produces silk from its mouth. In reality, spiders have organs called "spinnerets" on their abdomen from which they produce silk. Spiders typically don't produce silk from their mouths...

2022.05.26

animal

Posts 1464 Featured Image Yamakawa World History App Review

The "Yamakawa World History Q&A" app is incredibly convenient because you can memorize anytime, anywhere! It's a new era of studying.

Hello everyone, did you know that there's an app called "Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History" that contains all the questions from the book "Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History"? Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History Developer: Imagineer Co.,Ltd. ¥610 posted with AppReach Recently I've been using this...

2022.05.23

history

Bipalium Kewense Adult Whole Shape In Hyogo Prefecture Japan

[First domestic record] The mysterious invasive planarian "Bipalium biparietum" discovered in Hyogo Prefecture! Explanation of the discovery process and ecology.

This article contains a draft of the report "Records of the land planarian in Hyogo Prefecture," which was published in the following journal. Citation method: Kenichi Ikeda and Atsuya Ikeda. 2022. Records of the land planarian in Hyogo Prefecture. Nature Study 68(5): 6. ISSN...

2022.05.10

animal

What are the differences between sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers, and white sunflowers? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! Is it a myth that sunflowers face the sun? Why are they the national flowers of Russia and Ukraine?

Sunflowers are said to face the sun, giving them a cheerful and bright image, and they are now very familiar plants in Japan. Originally from North America, there are many species, but the types of sunflowers found in Japan are limited, mostly consisting of the common sunflower, dwarf sunflower, and dusty sunflower. Humans and sunflowers...

2022.05.10

plant

What are the differences between Broussonetia papyrifera and Broussonetia kozoa? Do Broussonetia papyrifera flowers burst open? What is the history of Broussonetia papyrifera? Are its fruits edible?

Both *Broussonetia papyrifera* and *Broussonetia erythrorhizon* have been used as paper since ancient times, and *Broussonetia papyrifera* can still be found in familiar green spaces today. However, some literature suggests that the distinction between these two species is not very clear, and they have historically been confused with each other. However...

2022.05.04

plant

07.3273 Lithospermum erythrorhizon flower

What are the differences between Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Lithospermum erythrorhizon? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do the flowers have a secret that allows them to be pollinated even in the shade?

While *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* and *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* have similar names and may be confused, there is a significant difference: *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* is a native species, while *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* is a cultivated variety. The shape of the leaves and flowers are also distinctly different. *Lithospermum erythrorhizon*...

2022.04.27

plant

What species resembles the Bletilla striata (purple orchid)? Recent research has revealed that the flowers not only deceive bees, but also utilize male bees for courtship!

Bletilla striata is a perennial plant naturally distributed from Honshu to Okinawa in Japan, but wild specimens are classified as near-threatened. On the other hand, it's also a popular ornamental plant, and can be seen in almost every town. While it was once thought that the wild population in Japan consisted of escaped cultivated plants, it is now believed that the wild population is...

2022.04.26

plant

Research has revealed that "intraguild predation" occurs universally between spiders and wasps, potentially contributing to ecosystem stability! [Press Release]

In the "Ecological Information" section, at the request of the lead author, Mr. Daisuke Noguchi, I assisted with the introduction, discussion, and literature review on a paid basis. This research revealed that intraguild predation between spiders and wasps occurs universally, and that there is a possibility of "symmetrical intraguild predation" between spiders and wasps...

2022.03.31

animalecosystem

ecology

A miraculous insect that repels frogs? The reason why the spiny grasshopper uses "playing dead" and "spines"

The rare spider *Euphyllia japonica*, which preys on its victims by spinning silk from its mouth, can be found in your home!

The "Yamakawa World History Q&A" app is incredibly convenient because you can memorize anytime, anywhere! It's a new era of studying.

[First domestic record] The mysterious invasive planarian "Bipalium biparietum" discovered in Hyogo Prefecture! Explanation of the discovery process and ecology.

What are the differences between sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers, and white sunflowers? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! Is it a myth that sunflowers face the sun? Why are they the national flowers of Russia and Ukraine?

What are the differences between *Broussonetia papyrifera* and *Broussonetia kozoa*? Do *Broussonetia papyrifera* flowers burst open? What is the history of *Broussonetia papyrifera*? Are its fruits edible?

What are the differences between *Lithospermum erythrorhizon* and *Lithospermum erythrorhizon*? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do the flowers have a secret that allows them to be pollinated even in the shade?

What species resembles the Bletilla striata (purple orchid)? Recent research has revealed that the flowers not only deceive bees, but also utilize male bees for courtship!

Research has revealed that "intraguild predation" occurs universally between spiders and wasps, potentially contributing to ecosystem stability! [Press Release]

The rare spider Euphyllia japonica, which preys on its victims by spinning silk from its mouth, can be found in your home!

What are the differences between Broussonetia papyrifera and Broussonetia kozoa? Do Broussonetia papyrifera flowers burst open? What is the history of Broussonetia papyrifera? Are its fruits edible?

What are the differences between Lithospermum erythrorhizon and Lithospermum erythrorhizon? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Do the flowers have a secret that allows them to be pollinated even in the shade?