Associate Professor Sugiura Shinji’s discovery that a species of beetle can survive being eaten by a frog by escaping via its cloacal aperture has received much attention and has been widely covered by international media. The insect in question is Regimbartia attenuata, a small aquatic beetle often found in paddy elds on Japan’s main island and in the south of the country. Professor Sugiura’s research is not just limited to this beetle; he has been investigating the interactions between various insects and other living things (such as plants) from an ecological viewpoint. He describes this research on R.attenuata as the ‘discovery of an amusing aspect of insect ecology’, however investigating interspecic interactions, such as those between predator and prey, is also important for the conservation of threatened ecosystems. In addition, research into the forms and functions of plants and animals is presenting increasing possibilities for biomimetics, in which structures and properties found in nature are applied to the creation of new products that contribute to society. We asked Professor Sugiura about the hidden potential of research on insects. 09RESEARCH AT KOBE-The thrilling discovery of a beetle’s active escape through a frog’s body-Expanding horizons of insect ecology researchWhat is Regimbartia attenuata? R. attenuata is a small aquatic beetle that is between 3.8mm to 5.0mm in length. Adults eat aquatic plants in habitats such as paddy elds. They normally swim under the water and sometimes y above the water’s surface.
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