Ecological Notes Web

Why are red dragonflies red, and why are common skimmer dragonflies blue? The surprising scientific reason and the truth that it's "sunscreen"

The "red dragonfly" is a creature so familiar to Japanese people that it even has its own children's song. The group commonly referred to as "red dragonfly" is a general term for dragonflies whose males turn red. Taxonomically, it's not a single group but rather a collective term for several separate groups, such as the Sympetrum and Scarlet Skimmer genera.

2022.06.17

animal

What are the differences between buckwheat (soba), Tartary buckwheat (Tartary buckwheat), and Shakuchiri buckwheat (Shakuchiri buckwheat)? We explain how to distinguish between similar varieties! Is buckwheat's origin in mountainous regions? Why do Japanese people eat it as noodles? Are honeybees the only insects that visit its flowers?

Buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat, and Japanese buckwheat are all species that can be found in Japan, either cultivated or naturalized. Buckwheat, in particular, is indispensable to Japanese people as a noodle dish, but few people can distinguish between these three species as plants. These three species differ in the way their flowers grow, the shape of their fruits, etc.

2022.06.14

plant

13.19339 *Peach-legged Longhorn Beetle* (male, adult) Edited

Why are the thighs of the longhorn beetle Thumbelina japonica so thick? A surprising evolutionary adaptation for subduing females and the truth about "sexual conflict."

Are you familiar with the insect known as the "peach-thicked longhorn beetle"? It gathers on flowers from spring to early summer and is one of the most commonly found insects in Honshu, belonging to the family Cerambycidae. Its most distinctive feature is its thick hind legs. I wondered why this was the case...

2022.06.09

animal

What species resembles the egret orchid? The flowers are visited by hawk moths! And not only that, tiny insects called thrips also play an important role in pollination! What is the "Egret Orchid Legend"?

The egret orchid (Habenaria radiata) is a perennial plant that inhabits slightly damp areas and is a popular choice for gardening. Unfortunately, due to the decline of its wetland habitat and illegal harvesting, it is listed as near-threatened on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List. There are many closely related species, and many that share the name "egret orchid," but this particular species has a flattened stem resembling a heron...

2022.06.07

plant

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