Review of the complete set
Insect Science by Furuta. This is an interesting set of eight figures, but marketed in four pairs; four main figures with one 'accessory' each (the accessory being prey, a mate, progeny, etc.).
Like most Japanese manufacturers, this set represents typical Asian fare, nothing unusual or uncommonly made. The figures are single piece (well, they came same piece, possibly they can be taken apart -- I certainly have not tried). The primary figures are slightly larger than most of the earlier Furuta/Kaiyodo Choco Q figures, being more inline with the Yujin Insects of Japan Series.
Each primary figure comes with a sturdy collectors card with lots of fun facts (in Japanese, of course) and a picture of the primary figure and its accessory.
On to the figures, in their numerical order:
1a. Asian swallowtail,
Papilio xuthus.
This figure has a fine felt coating over its wings. This species has been made by Bandai, Kabaya, Koro Koro, and Rement as adults, and by Kaiyodo (twice, including Mega Sofubi Toy Box) and Shineg as larvae.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]1b. Seven-spotted lady beetle,
Coccinella septempunctata.
This figure, and the follow on which it is sitting, is the accessory to the swallowtail (above). I decided to display the beetle on the flower since it is so small (not too much larger than 1:1). This is probably the most commonly made non-scarabaeoid beetle. I have figures marketed as, or at least clearly attributable, to this species by 4D Master, Blip Toys, Heller, Kabaya, Kitan Club, plus several of unknown origin. It was also made by Bullyland (which I do not personally have).
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]2a and 2b. Sawtoothed stag beetle,
Prosopocoilus inclinatus.
This figure and its accessory are the male and female of the same species. This is one of the more common stag beetles made in figure form, having also been made by F-toys, Hayakwa Toys, Kabaya, Kaiyodo (a couple times), Maruka, Rement, Sega (several times), Subarudo, Yujin, Takara Tomy A.R.T.S., and Wing Mau. I only have one other female of this species, however. Unfortunately, females of these scarabaeoid beetles are way less commonly made than the males.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]3a and 3b. Golden-ringed dragonfly,
Anotogaster sieboldii.
This primary figure and its accessory are an adult and nymph/naiad of the same species. This is the most commonly made Asian dragonfly, having been previously made by Hayakwa Toys, Kaiyodo, Rement, and Yujin (both adult and naiad).
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]4a. Giant Japanese mantid,
Tenodera aridifolia.
This is the fourth primary figure, again the most common member of its group made. Other figures I have are by Bandai, Hayakwa Toys, Rement, and Yujin. In addition some of the Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. B.I.G. Insects mantids may be attributable to this species.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]4b. Migratory locust,
Locusta migratoria.
This is the accessory to the mantid (above). Not sure if they were lumped as orthopteroids or if this is a predator-prey pairing. Anyway, other figures of this species are by 4D Master, Funrise Toys, Kaiyodo (twice), Rement, Yujin, plus an additional figure by Furuta.
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