In this study, we investigated the relationship between body size of male and the maximum number of eggs on their backs concerning two belostomatid water bug species (Appasus major and Appasus japonicus) under field and laboratory conditions. A generalized linear model revealed non-significant relationships between male body size and the number of eggs in both species (but a marginally positive relationship in A. japonicus) under field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, there was no significant relationship between male body size and number of eggs in A. major, however, A. japonicus exhibited a significant positive relationship. These results suggest that while males of A. japonicus receive eggs from females on their backs based on body size, males of A. major stop adding eggs before their backs are full.

We examined conspecific attraction in the Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the field by bait traps. We found that males with an artificial diet attracted both sexes of conspecifics, while males alone, diet alone and females attracted few or no conspecifics. These results suggest that males emit aggregation pheromone during feeding, which is consistent with findings in other Dynastinae species.

The rice stink bug, Niphe elongata (Dallas, 1851) is one of the serious pests in Japan that suck rice ears causing decreased yields and pecky rice. Despite the need for information on its useful natural enemies for biological control, very few data have been collected. In the course of our study, two species of parasitic flies, Clairvilliops sp. and Euthera tuckeri Bezzi, 1925, have emerged from adult rice stink bugs collected by sweeping in a paddy field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. This is the new host record of these parasitic flies. We provide some information on the point of identification of two species, collected site, and the date of emergence.

Host and distributional records of Euurobracon breviterebrae Watanabe, 1934 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are presented. The adult wasps and cocoons were collected from the larval tunnel of a cerambycid beetle, Pseudaeolesthes chrysothrix chrysothrix (Bates, 1873), with larval remains of the cerambycid beetle in Yamanashi Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. This species is also recorded from Tsushima Island for the first time.

In many taxonomic research laboratories and museums, securing maintenance funds for the storage space, as well as air conditioning and humidity control necessary for maintaining a vast number of specimens, poses a significant challenge. The recent news of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, successfully reaching its goal of 100 million yen through a large-scale crowdfunding campaign within just one day has sparked discussion. This achievement underscores the magnitude of the issue and the level of interest among individuals concerned with this matter.

The vast number of insect specimens held by research institutions are utilized as research materials but are not extensively utilized beyond this purpose. Therefore, in this project, we have initiated a pilot experiment to digitize and manage these insect collections as digital assets using blockchain technology. We have explored methods to utilize and monetize these assets, such as converting valuable insect materials owned by Kyushu University into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). These tokens include ultra-high-resolution images that can be enlarged to microscopic levels. By integrating blockchain technology with Kyushu University’s insect specimens and researchers’ analytical techniques, we aim to build a new self-sustaining ecosystem capable of generating maintenance funds for these specimens from the accumulated research activities. Additionally, through NFTs, we aim to establish a community that interacts with natural history materials, thereby striving to create a socially and economically stable ecosystem.

While our project focuses on insect specimens and related materials housed at Kyushu University, the concept of utilizing natural history materials accumulated through research and conservation activities as a new source of funding can be adapted to other organisms and research fields. For instance, video footage and activity records captured during conservation activities can also be digitized and managed as NFTs. Thus, our project is expected to serve as a model case for various conservation and research activities that require continuous and stable economic foundations.