Cecidomyiid galls were surveyed in 2010 and 2011 for the first time on Mikurajima and Aogashima, the Izu Islands, Tokyo, Japan. We found 13 and three sorts of the galls on Mikurajima and Aogashima, respectively. Among them, the jar-shaped axillary bud gall induced by Rhopalomyia sp. was newly discovered on Chrysanthemum pacificum (Asteraceae). The stem gall induced by Bruggmanniella sp. on Actinodaphne acuminata (Lauraceae) was newly recorded from Tokyo. The following five sorts were new to the Izu Islands: the blister-shaped leaf gall induced by an unidentified cecidomyiid on Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae), the axillary bud gall induced by Asteralobia soyogo onIlex integra (Aquifoliaceae), the ovate leaf gall induced by Oxycephalomyia styraci on Styrax japonica (Styracaceae), the bud gall induced by Asphondylia baca on Weigela coraeensis var. fragrans (Caprifoliaceae), and the small ellipsoidal leaf gall induced by Rhopalomyia chrysanthemum on C. pacificum. In addition, the petiole gall induced by Paratephritis fukaii (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Farfugium hiberniflorum (Asteraceae) was newly recorded from the Izu Islands, and the leaf gall induced by Trioza cinnamomi (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) on Cinnamomum tenuifolium (Lauraceae) and the leaf gall induced by Liothrips kuwanai (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) on Piper kadsura (Piperaceae) were new to Mikurajima and Aogashima.

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Teleutaea brischkei (Holmgren, 1860) is recorded from Hokkaido, Japan, for the first time. This species resembles T. nigra Momoi, 1978 in head structure, length of ovipositor, body size and coloration, but they can be easily distinguished by the coloration of hind leg and sculpture on mesosoma. A key to Japanese species of Teleutaea is revised.

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The giant water bug, subfamily Lethocerinae, which has the largest body size among Belostomatidae, is known to be a vertebrate specialist that preys mainly upon fish and amphibians. Here, I report that a giant water bug, Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae), was catching hold of a Japanese mamushi, Gloydius blomhoffii, in a pond. This is a first report of Lethocerinae eating a Viperid snake.

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The Doctor Manbou Insect Memories (Japanese name: Dokutoru Manbou Konchuki) is one of the most famous essays in Japan, which has inspired many young Japanese to collect insects. Dr.Morio Kita, the author of the essay, passed away at the age of 84 on October 24, 2011. In this article, I introduce an exhibiting method of the humanities in the Marronnier Insect Museum, one of curious museums, and "The Doctor Manbou Insect Exhibition", expressing my memorial will to Dr.Morio Kita. The Marronnier Insect Museum established in 2006 is an exhibition institution using idle facilities in Tochigi residents' woods. The exhibition themes to be introduced here are "Insects in Greek mythology" and "Insects in proverb and expression". The Doctor Manbou Insect Exhibition was an extension of this exhibition of the humanities. It was held at 19 halls, and the Emperor Heisei viewed it at the hall in Karuizawa.

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The Japanese Ant Image Database is a Japanese-name-based image database including information of all ants distributed in Japan. This database has been accessed more than 250 million times since 1995 by a wide range of users consisting of professional taxonomists to school kids. In this article, we introduce the current version of our database, which went through a major revision in 2008. Instructions for the various searching systems that lead users to each taxon page are given. We also present the concept of our database, current issues, and future plans.

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