Parents and children learn together! Safe and secure insect collecting and the rules of nature

1. Your child’s safety is our top priority! Checklist before departure

Above all else, your child’s safety is of the utmost importance. To prevent happy memories from turning into bitter experiences, be sure to check the following points:

Clothing and belongings: Long sleeves and long pants are the basics!

When you’re out in the bush or forest, it’s essential to protect your skin from injuries, insect bites, and allergies caused by plants like poison ivy. In the summer, we recommend a thin, quick-drying material.

Prevent heatstroke with a hat

It protects your head from direct sunlight and is even more reassuring if it has a type that can protect the back of your neck.

Comfortable athletic shoes

Sandals are a big no-no! They can cause injuries. Choose shoes that are non-slip and cover your entire foot.

Insect repellent spray and first aid kit

The grassy areas and woods where you will be collecting insects are also full of mosquitoes. However, when trying to catch insects, it is not recommended to use insect repellent spray, as they will repel the insects.
Prevent insect bites by wearing long sleeves and long pants. It is also a good idea to prepare ointments, bandages, and disinfectants in case you are bitten.

Drinks and a little snack

Staying hydrated in the summer is vital, so bring plenty of water.

Points to note when choosing a location and what to do

Stay away from dangerous places!

Near a river or pond

Children love water, but you should always keep an eye on them. The ground can be slippery and the water can get deep in places.

Cliffs or steep slopes

When children become absorbed in something, they tend to lose sight of what is right in front of them. Even if they think, “There’s a rare butterfly over there!”, teach them the courage to not step into dangerous places.

Private property and restricted areas

If you ever find yourself wondering, “Is it okay to enter this forest?”, don’t just go in. Always check the signs and other information.

Bees, snakes and dangerous creatures

If you find a beehive, leave the area quietly and slowly. Avoid wearing black clothing or hats, as these can irritate the bees. If you see a poisonous snake such as a pit viper, the golden rule is to stay quiet, do not irritate it, and leave quietly.

2. You can’t just say you didn’t know! The three rules of nature

There are legal rules for insect collecting, as well as important etiquette for protecting the natural environment. Parents and children should learn about these together so that they don’t end up damaging the environment or breaking the law because they “didn’t know.”

Rule 1 [Law] There are insects and places you should not collect (comply with the law)

In fact, there are insects in Japan whose capture is prohibited by the Species Conservation Act and prefectural ordinances. There are also areas, such as national parks and places designated as natural monuments, where collecting living creatures is completely prohibited.

What is an endangered species?

The Ministry of the Environment’s Red List lists creatures whose numbers have become so small that they may disappear from the face of the earth if things continue as they are (endangered species). If you wonder if a particular insect is rare, first look it up in an illustrated guide or online. If it is an endangered species, the kindness to protect the future of nature is to observe it quietly and take photographs without catching it. Some popular insects, such as the giant stag beetle and the Luehdorfia butterfly, have also been designated as endangered species.

Learning points for parents and children

Have a discussion with your child about why the numbers of these insects have decreased. This will give you an opportunity to think about big themes such as environmental destruction and global warming through insects.

Rule 2 [Law] There are insects that you should not keep or let escape (invasive species problem)

You may have heard a lot about “specially designated invasive species” in the news recently. These are creatures that were not originally native to Japan but were brought in from overseas by humans and are now having a negative impact on Japan’s natural environment and agriculture. Species designated as “specially designated invasive species” under the Invasive Alien Species Act are strictly prohibited by law from being kept without permission, transported alive to other locations, or released into the wild.

Representative invasive species and insects: redback spider, red-necked long-horned beetle

• Redback spiders are venomous, so never touch them with your bare hands.
• The red-necked longhorn beetle kills cherry and plum trees.

Representative specified invasive species and conditionally specified invasive species: American crayfish and bullfrogs

Crayfish are popular with children. Among them, the American crayfish, which can be found in many areas of Japan, is designated as a conditional invasive species. While it is okay to keep them in an ordinary household, if you grow tired of them or can no longer keep them, you cannot let them go outside (you will be subject to punishment if you let them escape).

Bullfrogs are designated as an invasive species, so transporting them alive is subject to punishment and it is also prohibited to bring them into private homes.

Other well-known invasive species besides insects include raccoons and snapping turtles.

Learning points for parents and children

Let’s talk together as parents and children about the impact that foreign animals have on Japan’s natural environment. This is a good opportunity to learn how much trouble can result from letting go of a pet just because it’s cute.

Furthermore, during the Showa and postwar food shortages, bullfrogs were farmed domestically for consumption, and American crayfish were brought to Japan as food for these frogs. Through the study of designated invasive species, this will also be an opportunity to learn about the history of the migration of living organisms and how people have struggled to survive.

Rule 3 [Manners] Be kind and don’t take too much for the sake of the future

Even though it is not required by law, there is an important etiquette to follow: “Do not pick more than necessary.”

If I observe you, I’ll let you go

Only take home a few that you really want to keep as specimens, and say “thank you” to the rest and release them back where they came from. Female insects in particular play an important role in laying many eggs and passing on life to the next generation.

Don’t pick everything up

If you collect insects in the same place too much, they will disappear. Let’s cherish the feeling that nature is sharing a little with us so that we can continue to enjoy insect collecting next year and the year after that.

Don’t spoil the environment

Please refrain from forcibly peeling off tree bark or trampling on plants in search of insects. It is also good manners not to litter.

Summary of “Learn with your child! Safe and secure insect collecting and the rules of nature”

Insect collecting is the perfect classroom for learning about life and nature. At first glance, being careful about safety and following the rules of nature may seem like a hassle. However, it’s when parents and children think together about why each of these rules exists that insect collecting becomes a truly educational experience. Parent-child conversations like “This one’s poisonous, so it’s dangerous,” “This butterfly is rare, so let’s just look at it,” and “I heard this insect, which came from a foreign country, is destroying Japan’s natural environment,” are sure to foster in children a sense of valuing life and a kind heart that cares for nature. Now that you’ve thoroughly learned the rules and etiquette, it’s time for the ultimate insect collecting adventure!