Insect fighting
Insect fighting is a range of competitive sporting activity, commonly associated with gambling, in which insects are pitted against each other.[1]
Background
Forms of insect fighting as spectator sport are practiced in regions of China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Some types have a long history; for example, cricket fighting is a traditional Chinese pastime that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Originally an indulgence of emperors, cricket fighting later became popular among commoners.[2] Beetle fighting, with such beetles as the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Xylotrupes socrates, Dorcus titanus, Goliathus, and dynastinae beetles also occurs, especially in Japan.[3][4] There is also an online fan community, watching those fights in videos on different platforms.[1]
In popular culture
Japanese Bug Fights (世界最強虫王決定戦)[5][6] refers to a more than 58-part video series featuring various kinds of insects, arachnids, and other creatures battling to the death in a little plastic arena. There are only two bugs to a fight and most fights end with one bug killing their opponent. In some cases, the fights end in a draw if neither bug is able to kill their opponent.
See also
References
- Hartenberger, Carla (March 31, 2008). "Bug Fights, Hot Trend". The Tyee. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- Andrew Jacobs (November 6, 2011). "Chirps and Cheers: China's Crickets Clash". The New York Times. p. A6.
- Juni 2015, Beitrag von Galileo 14, Käfer-Hype in Tokio (in German), retrieved July 11, 2019
- Inglese, Frank (April 12, 2016). "A Look Into The Strange World Of Japanese Beetle Fighting". SnapThirty. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- "Japan - Bug Fights". Vice Canada. February 4, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
- Markowitz, Riki (May 20, 2008). "Ultimate (Bug) Fighting Championship". Maxim. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.