A Hercules beetle, with a long horn, is seen in Kamimine, Saga Prefecture, on July 14, 2021. (Mainichi/Shizuka Takebayashi)

       KAMIMINE, Saga -- The local government here has added five insect species including the Hercules beetle -- one of the largest beetles in the world -- to its "hometown tax" gifts, aiming to make them "one of the popular topics to revitalize the town," an official said.

       According to Saga Prefecture, Kamimine collected a preliminary figure of 4.4 billion yen (about $40 million) in local tax donations in fiscal 2020 -- the highest amount among all 20 municipalities in the prefecture. The town is targeting 4 billion yen (about $36 million) in fiscal 2021.

       The hometown tax system allows people to pay a portion of their local taxes to a municipality of their choice anywhere in Japan. Many municipalities offer thank-you gifts for these donations.

       The insects are bred at "Kuwagata-shop Kabunkuwa" in the town. The Hercules beetle, dubbed "the king of beetles," has a long horn, and shop owner Haruyoshi Moriguchi, 41, has bred specimens up to 15 centimeters long. He began to keep the beetles as a hobby about 10 years ago, and can now raise them from eggs and ship imago (immature insects) to customers near and far.

       Schoolchildren look at a Hercules beetle in Kamimine, Saga Prefecture, on July 14, 2021. (Mainichi/Shizuka Takebayashi)

       "I'll be glad if I can help raise the town's name recognition by delivering them nationwide," Moriguchi said.

       The newly added hometown tax gifts include rare species such as Dorcus titanus imperialis -- a type of stag beetle native to the Philippines -- and Mesotopus tarandus -- another type of stag beetle with a shiny black body. Prime Hercules beetles at least 13 centimeters long will be sent as a gift to those who donate 85,000 yen (about $770) to the town.

       An exhibit of 10 insect species was held at Kamimine Elementary School between July 13 and 15, during which students excitedly made comments including, "Awesome!" "It's big and scary," and, "It's interesting that each one has their own individuality, with different horns, colors and patterns."

       (Japanese original by Shizuka Takebayashi, Saga Bureau)

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