My Navi News, a Japanese news website, polled 1000 of their members to find out just how many people dislike creepy-crawlies. A whopping 63.1% said they can’t stand the little guys. Take a look at their reasons why and find out Japan’s most hated bug.
Here’s the poll as it appeared on My Navi News:
■ Do you hate insects?
Yes: 63.1%
No: 36.9%
Around 63 percent of those polled dislike bugs. But exactly which insect is the most hated of all? Let’s look at the breakdown.
■If you answered “yes” to the above question, which insect do you hate? Check all that apply.
15. Lady Bug: 15.7%
14. Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle: 19.6%
13. Stag Beetle: 19.8%
12. Ant: 20.1%
11. Butterfly: 30.7%
10. Praying Mantis: 29.2%
9. Cricket Spider: 30.7%
8. Drone Beetle: 35.2%
7. Aphid: 35.7%
6. Mosquito: 43.0%
5. Fly: 45.0%
4. Stink bug: 51.7%
^So stinky in Japan they can pass out from their own odor
These last three are known to make even the most nature-loving Japanese turn squeamish , so we’ve replaced their photos with moe characters instead.
3. Spider: 53.2%
2. Centipede: 65.3%
1. Cockroach: 84.5%
#1 through #6 is very understandable. Poisonous centipedes, stink bugs, and cockroaches invade many homes in Japan and send people scurrying for insecticide. Although spiders (#3) help catch the flies (#5) and mosquitos (#6) that cause our polltakers so much discomfort, their eight legs and wispy webs cause our member to fear spiders more than the insects they keep away. In addition, 40.4% said they dislike all insects, regardless of shape, color, or size.
And finally…
■ For those who dislike insects, when did you start disliking them?
Kindergarten: 40.1%
Elementary school: 25.8%
Junior high: 18.7%
High school: 7.1%
University: 3.5%
After University: 4.8%
My Navi News then asked for the reason people dislike insects. Let’s take a look at some of the answers.
- The legs!
“When I see the underside of a bug and all of its legs are moving around, it freaks me out!” (Male, 25 years old)
- I don’t know where it’s going!
“You can’t predict where the bug will move to next. If there are a bunch of bugs all together, it creeps me out.” (Female, 27 years old)
Many people said the same thing. I can’t help but think there are aliens in space right now, watching us humans, thinking, “Eww, they’re so gross! You can never tell where they’ll move to next!”
- “It’s my boyfriend’s job”
“Bugs are gross! I can’t even touch them. If a bug comes into the house, it’s my boyfriend’s job to get rid of it.” (Female, 24 years old)
According to the survey, a number of men said they are creeped out by insects. In addition, around 51% of men said they dislike insects altogether. Even though men are just as afraid of bugs as women, the poor guys are expected to take care of the tiny home invaders.
- They just get grosser and grosser…
“The more I examine a bug, the more it freaks me out. The way it moves also freaks me out…it’s so disgusting!” (Female, 30 years old)
- They make me sick
“Mosquitos, cicadas, centipedes…any insect that causes people harm or pain really makes me mad. Also, when I look at a bug’s wings or body, it makes me feel sick” (Female, 27 years old)
- I want them all dead
“Most bugs gross me out, especially ones with a ton of legs or none at all. Insects with 6 to 8 legs (rhinoceros beetle, stag beetle, etc) are cool and insects like butterflies are beautiful, but I just wanna kill the rest of them.” (Female, 27 years old)
- I’ll become a part of the bugs!
“When there are a lot of bugs flying around all at once, I feel like I’ll become a part of the bugs.” (Male, 22 years old)
Say what? Does anyone else feel like that?
- I used to like bugs when I was a kid…
“When I was a kid, I was fine around bugs, but now I can’t stand them.” (Male, 30 years old)
It looks like a lot of people in Japan dislike or even hate insects…
We’d like to hear from our own readers. Cast your vote and let us know how you really feel about insects in the comments section below! Don’t hold back! It can’t get any worse than, “I feel like I’ll become a part of the bugs.”
Source: NicoVideo

Learn to make realistic-looking, edible insects with these cool tutorials【Videos】
Rhinoceros beetles falling out of favor with Japanese kids
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 creepiest Japanese insects 【Weird Top Five】
Vending machine selling edible bugs is an instant hit in Kumamoto, generates about $4,600 a month
Tokyo Board of Education to Offer “Insect Touching Classes” to Teachers Who Are Afraid of Bugs
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Master Ball bug cage lets you finally catch even the most powerful insects out there
Get rid of bugs and score points with Japanese women in one fell swoop with the ami-ton maneuver
Kick back after a hard day with a thirst-quenching bottle of Insect Sour
Eating a bag of Rhino Beetles from Kumamoto’s bug-food vending machine【Taste test】
Super bug — Japanese entomologist encounters a real-life titan, but of the insect variety
We visit “Rice and Circus,” a restaurant that combines bugs and Japanese-style cooking【Photos】
We try insect snacks from this vending machine in Tokyo, and get a bonus surprise in the capsule
Vending machine in Kumamoto to offer delicious insect snacks, let you munch them on the go
This entire Japanese meal was made with 6 kinds of bugs and some caterpillar poo
Tohoku University team discovers blue light is effective at killing insects
Earth Chemical to change name of insecticide products to “insect care products”
They have teeth in their stomaches! And 6 other fun facts about cockroaches
What event did you hate most in elementary school? Survey asks Japanese adults
We try eating insects — they don’t taste like chicken