Suzumushi - Japan's Bell Cricket
Summers
in western Japan are hot and humid, but one thing I like about them is
the sounds of the various insects that are out and about. In the
daytime we have the semi, which fills the trees with a loud
buzzing (photo and audio below), and at night we have several others
that each have their own distinctive "voice."
The one I'd like to introduce here is the suzumushi. I have tried and tried to find an English name for it without success. My guess is that it doesn't exist in any country where English is spoken. Nevertheless, suzu in Japanese means "sleigh bell" and mushi is "bug," and since it's related to the cricket I've decided to name it "bell cricket" until I can find its true name in English, if there is one.
The bell cricket is native to western Japan, including Shikoku and Kyushu. It's around 2 cm long, which is almost an inch, has funny, wrinkly-looking wings, and long, white antennae, which are constantly waving around. The male is the one with the wider wings, which he raises to "ring." The best way I can describe the sound is to say that it is very similar to the jingling of sleigh bells, but quieter and non-metallic. (Play the video or audio below and see if you agree.) They begin their ringing at dusk, and it can sometimes continue until morning.
Unfortunately, development in the cities has driven away the bell cricket, along with other little creatures we used to see or hear regularly. However, since its ringing is so pleasant to listen to when falling asleep, city folks like us can order them through the post office and have our very own bell crickets to listen to each night. I'm sure it sounds ridiculous to actually pay money for bugs, but for about $15 you get a small terrarium with suzumushi, food and all the accessories you need delivered right to your door.
Caring for them is no problem. Pieces of fresh, cut up cucumber and nasu(Japanese eggplant), their own food, and a little water every 2 or 3 days seem to be all they need. And they will happily sing you to sleep for your effort.
In the fall they will lay their eggs and die off. Then you can either put the terrarium safely away until the eggs hatch the following year, or transplant the eggs to a quiet spot in your garden. We've been successful doing both. In fact, we've had transplanted ones remain and continue on for 3 or 4 years.
If you live in Japan and haven't experienced suzumushi yet, give them a try. If you live somewhere else and think you have these "bell crickets" in your area, I'd like to hear from you. Please let me know where you are and what you call them, along with any other relevant information.
suzumushi video 1 (462 KB WMV file - Please make sure your sound is turned up.)
suzumushi video 2 (618 KB AVI file)
suzumushi audio (72 KB WAV file)
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semi audio (108 KB WAV file)
