10 insects that may prevent you from visiting Japan
1. The Japanese giant hornet is called "suzumebati", which translates as " sparrow bee". Why is it called so? Because this hornet is the size of a sparrow! These hornets have a bad temper, huge stingers and damn strong neurotoxic venom. They mark their prey with special pheromones and follow it for several kilometers. They kill 40 people a year - more than any other insect or animal in Japan.
2. The Japanese "stink bug" from the family of true shield insects is a hefty bug. It feeds exclusively on fruits, sucking out the liquid from them; it does not bite and is generally quite harmless. Only you should not touch it, the protective mechanism of this bug fully corresponds to its nickname.
3. "Denki Mushi" - Japanese "electric caterpillar". It looks pretty cute until you touch it, receiving a tangible electric shock. The caterpillar doesn't actually generate electricity, but the chemicals it emits do a pretty good job of mimicking it.
4. Cockroaches. Few insects cause such strong disgust as these small beetles. Wait, small ones? In Japan, cockroaches are huge - up to 4 cm in length, and even fly! If a Japanese cockroach crashes into you on a strafing flight, you will remember it for a long time.
5. Japanese mountain leech. Leeches are not the most pleasant creatures, but at least they only live in water, right? Not really, because the Japanese mountain leech is able to climb trees and jump on the victim from height. Leech with tick tactics is a great combination!
6. Flycatchers are common inhabitants of houses in Japan, as well as houses around the world. Despite their appearance, they are harmless enough guys that will not bite a person, but will save him from many unpleasant insects. Unfortunately, they are not the only centipedes in Japan.
7. The giant centipede, called "mukade" in Japan, is a monster up to 38 centimeters in size! Mukade is one of the symbols of evil in Japanese mythology. It not only looks scary, but also has strong toxic poison that can send you to the hospital with vomiting and breathing difficulties.
8. The Japanese huntsman spider is non-venomous and generally not interested in humans. This is where the pluses end, as this arachnid grows up to 30 cm in size and loves to make unexpected jumps on its prey. An animated nightmare that can turn any person into an arachnophobe.
9. The Yoro spider is one of the largest spiders on the planet. What size is it? Let's just say, enough to catch small birds in the web. And yes, it is poisonous - at the level of a black widow. In Japanese mythology, there is a shapeshifter spider Yorogumo based on it, which takes the form of a beautiful woman, lures men into its webs and eats them.
10. Cicadas are found all over the world, but it is in Japan that they have become one of the main symbols of the animal world. The sounds they make are often heard in the background in Japanese films, and are mentioned in famous literary works. In general, these are completely harmless insects, except that they are excessively loud and creepy in appearance.
In Japan, there is a separate word for cute things - "kawaii", which is deeply rooted in the modern cultural layer of the country. But outside the big cities with their "kawaii" advertising and souvenirs, there is a harsh Japanese nature filled with creepy insects and arachnids.
Only a very brave person can consider them cute.
Here are ten insects and arachnids from Japan that can scare the hell out of anyone - especially when they appear unexpectedly. If you decide to visit the Land of the Rising Sun one day, be on the lookout.
