Protaetia (Pyropotosia) pyeri oschimana (Nonfried, 1895) is naturally distributed in the southernmost part of Kyushu (Cape Sata) and the Nansei Islands. On the mainland of Tokyo, adult sightings of this species began to be frequently reported between 2012 and 2014, particularly concentrated in and around Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park, which is in a coastal area of the city. The species is recognized as a domestic alien species and is believed to have invaded there from these southern parts of Japan. Compared to the period around 2014, a few recent reports imply that the range of adults may have expanded from coastal to inland areas. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to investigate the expansion of the adult range of this species over the past decade. This study aims to clarify the expansion of the adult range of this species by analyzing observation data registered on iNaturalist, a global citizen science platform where naturalists record their observations of organisms. In addition, to assess the occurrence of larvae in inland areas, field surveys were conducted at three sites where adults had previously been observed. As a result, it was revealed that over the past ten years, the range of adults has expanded across central Tokyo, reaching urban areas approximately 10 km inland from the site where the species was initially established. Moreover, at a site in this inland area, the presence of larvae and an adult in an earthen cell was observed, indicating that at least one generation had completed its life cycle there.

We newly recorded Ghilaromma orientalis Tobias, 1988 from Miyagi (Honshu) and Fukuoka (Kyushu), Japan and reported its nighttime activity for the first time in the subfamily Hybrizontinae. The specimens were collected near the nests of Lasius fuji sensu lato, L. nipponensis, and L. spathepus. It is considered likely that the species use multiple species of Lasius (former subgenus Dendrolasius) as hosts. Additionally, our nighttime observation of ant nests revealed that the species was attracted to the light source. A similar response was observed in Ogkosoma cremieri (Romand, 1838), another species of the subfamily Hybrizontinae, suggesting that they may show positive phototaxis.

The longhorn beetle, Hirticlytus comosus (Matsushita), is naturally distributed in southern Kagoshima, Kyushu and Kochi, Shikoku. Hirticlytus comosus larvae damage a coniferous tree, Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D.Don, commonly used for gardens and hedges. Since it was first recorded in Chiba Prefecture in 2008, the invasive longhorn beetle established populations, raising concerns. In response, Chiba Prefecture has monitored its spread, and Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Chiba, has also recognized the risk of invasion and establishment of the longhorn beetle. Here, we report the first evidence of the invasion of Ibaraki Prefecture by observation of an adult beetle on May 25, 2021, and emergence holes in host trees in 2025. We confirmed the infestation of P. macrophyllus trees by H. comosus at multiple sites in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The presence of large numbers of emergence holes indicates that this species has already established populations in southern Ibaraki. Further investigations into damage caused by H. comosus and development of effective countermeasures are urgently required.

Hierodula chinensis Werner (Mantodea: Mantidae) is considered to be an alien praying mantis species in Japan. In some areas invaded by H. chinensis, the decline or complete displacement of the native species Hierodula patellifera Serville has been reported. A previous study has ruled out any pheromone-mediated reproductive interference between these two species. In this study, however, we observed a heterospecific mating event between H. chinensis and H. patellifera in the field. This observation suggests that visual cues may play a role in heterospecific mate attraction.

The Australian sap beetle, Brachypeplus binotatus Murray, 1864, was discovered in Japan for the first time, representing the first record of its invasion outside its native range.