The Not Well-known World of 'Kawa-mushi'

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​【 'Kawa-mushi' in Japan 】

When you go forest streams, ponds, or wetlands,

you will be able to realize there are many tiny wildlives around the water.

Especially aquatic insects are one of a major resident in riparian zone.

'Aquatic insects' is a vague term that means insects near water, but Japanese language has

a similar casual term, 'Kawa-mushi' (Kawa = river, Mushi = insects).

Kawa-mushi mainly countaints

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Plecoptera), and Caddisflies (Trichoptera).

They are familiar to anglers and a small number of researchers,

but most people are unaware of their existence.​​

Even in Japan, where there is a lot of rainfall and many rivers.

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​【 Too Fragile Beings to Treat 】

Mayfly adults are famous for their short lifespan, because of the atrophy of their mouths.

Actually, almost all mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies' adults don't

have functions to eat (with a few exceptions).

Nymphs grow in the water, actively feeding on periphyton or other small animals,

but many species are vulnerable to acidity and high water temperatures.

If you observe them, you may feel difficulties in handling not to be damaged them.

Even nature lovers always dismiss them as difficult objects.
It is a fact that academic studies on them are lagging behind.

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​【 Special Commitment 】

I collected 'Kawa-mushi' in rivers and ponds, keep them cool and transport them,

and photograph them in indoor facilities.

I am obsessed with capturing living and vivid images.

Now, I have uploaded over 200 species on this website.

I hope you will be interested in their beauty.

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