Parental Perceptions and Forest Management Challenges for Nocturnal Insect Collecting: Focusing on Trails and Secondary Forests in a Forest Park

Abstract

Koji Nakagawa, Daiki Akamatsu: Parental Perceptions and Forest Management Challenges for Nocturnal Insect Collecting: Focusing on Trails and Secondary Forests in a Forest Park. Ap. For. Sci. This study examined parental perceptions and environmental management issues related to nocturnal insect collecting in a suburban forest park in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 26 parents who accompanied their children for insect collecting at Kasugayama Park during July–August 2025. The questionnaire included demographic attributes, activity experience, willingness-to-pay (WTP) for park entrance fees, and attitudes toward forest management and safety infrastructure. Results indicated that most children enjoyed nocturnal insect collecting, although the number of beetles collected was lower than expected, suggesting a gap between expectations and actual outcomes. WTP was positively associated with perceived scarcity of nature experiences in school education and the need for habitat management, while negatively correlated with frequent prior insect-collecting experiences and perceived overcrowding. Correlation analysis revealed that parents who valued educational benefits of nocturnal collecting strongly supported trail maintenance measures such as lighting and vegetation control. These findings suggest that environmental management for forest parks should prioritize safe and accessible trails, adequate lighting, and maintenance of host trees (e.g., Quercus species) to enhance insect habitat quality. Furthermore, communicating the ecological significance of forest management can foster public understanding and support for conservation-oriented policies.