Kabutomushi - Giant Beetle

I blogged on July 1, 2006, about the boys and their love of bugs. The boys got some Kabutomushi last summer and after they mated, we are now growing about 30 of their larvae in a big covered tub on our balcony. Here are some pictures of the larvae growing, and some pictures of what they will look like this spring when they are mature.

The Kabutomushi is the biggest beetle and the most popular insect in Japan. Most kids buy them, keep them as pets, grow them, etc. There are video games in stores with them fighting. There are also playing cards and a card game that kids play with each other. These beetles fight each other as adults. There are several types of them.

"Kabuto" is the name of the helmets worn by Samurai, and "mushi" means insect or beetle. So Kabutomushi in English would be Samurai Helmet Beetle, and obviously gets its name from the resemblance of the stunning horns to the headwear worn by these fearless warriors of old. You can buy them in many places during the summer, from garden centers to gas stations to department stores, and you can pay hundreds of $$$ for a good specimen. But, like we did, you can also obtain them very cheaply.

After they mate, you end up with little larvae. You put them in a tub and cover them with dirt, leaves, etc. as if they were in their natural forest habitat. Right now, the larvae are about 3 inches long. Once the larvae evolve to mature beetles, you put them in a tank, bowl, etc. where they dig, burrow, climb branches, etc. You have to be careful which ones you put together because they are fierce fighters. They eat fruit and a special beetle Jell-O bought at most toy stores, home centers, and so on. It is special Kabutomushi Jell-O.