Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Koutaro Maeno

まえの ウルド こうたろう

Maeno Urudo Koutaro

Aliases: 前野浩太郎
Pen Names: Maeno K.O. (Koutaro Maeno)（Used as researcher name and in publications after receiving the middle name 'Ould' in Mauritania (used since 2011)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1980-02-20 （Tsuchizaki Port, Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Akita City (birthplace), Akita, Japan → Tsukuba (NIAS-related research) → Mauritania (residency at CNLA for field research) → Kobe (graduate studies at Kobe University) → Kyoto (Hakubi Center, Kyoto University) → France (visiting researcher at CIRAD)

Career

Occupations
Entomologist, Researcher, Author, Assistant researcher/lecturer
Active Years
2003-
Affiliations
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), Hakubi Center, Kyoto University (research fellow / assistant professor), National Desert Locust Control Center (CNLA, Mauritania), Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), University of Illinois (visiting researcher)
Influenced By
Jean-Henri Fabre, Seiji Tanaka

Education

Akita Prefectural Akita Chuo High School
Period: 1996-1998
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: Japan
High school diploma
Hirosaki University, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences / Department of Biological Production
Degree: 学士
Period: 1999-2003
Year of Graduation: 2003
Country: Japan
Undergraduate studies focusing on entomology
Ibaraki University Graduate School of Agriculture
Graduate School of Agriculture / Biological Production
Degree: 修士（農学）
Period: 2003-2005
Year of Graduation: 2005
Country: Japan
Master's studies; research under Seiji Tanaka
Kobe University Graduate School
Graduate School of Resource and Life Science / Department of Resource and Life Science
Degree: 博士（農学）
Period: 2005-2008
Year of Graduation: 2008
Country: Japan
Doctoral thesis on phase polyphenism in the desert locust

Awards

Encouragement Award (Japanese Society of Applied Animal Entomology)
2011
Work: Research on the desert locust
Organization: Japanese Society of Applied Animal Entomology
Result: 受賞
Inoue Science Promotion Foundation Encouragement Award
2011
Work: Research achievements
Organization: Inoue Science Promotion Foundation
Result: 受賞
Yamashita Taro Academic Research Encouragement Award
2012
Work: Research achievements
Organization: Yamashita Taro Academic Research Encouragement Award
Result: 受賞
16th Japan Agricultural Progress Award
2017
Work: Physiological and ecological research on outbreaks of the desert locust in Africa
Organization: The Japanese Society of Agricultural Science
Result: 受賞
Ikeru Book Award (4th)
2013
Work: When Solitary Locusts Gather
Organization: Ikeru Book Award
Result: 受賞
Shinsho (New Book) Award
2018
Work: To Africa to Defeat the Locusts
Organization: Chuokoron-Shinsha / Shinsho Award
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Publishing Culture Award (71st) Special Prize
2017
Work: To Africa to Defeat the Locusts
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Itoyama Award (14th)
2017
Work: To Africa to Defeat the Locusts
Organization: Itoyama Award
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

When Solitary Locusts Gather: Phase Polyphenism and Major Outbreaks of the Desert Locust

2012 Science / Biology (specialist)

A scholarly account compiling field research on phase polyphenism and outbreaks of the desert locust, recording scientific findings and on-site observations.

Phase polyphenismLocust plaguesFieldworkInsect ecology

To Africa to Defeat the Locusts

2017 Non-fiction / Memoir-style reportage

A memoir-like reportage recounting the author's postdoc struggles and field research experiences in Mauritania, told with humor.

FieldworkResearchers' struggleScience communicationAfrica

Urdo Insect Chronicles: To Africa to Defeat the Locusts (children's edition)

2020 Children's non-fiction

A children's adaptation of 'To Africa to Defeat the Locusts', conveying field experiences to a younger audience.

Science educationFieldwork for childrenInsects

I'll Beat the Locusts — In Africa

2024 Non-fiction (sequel)

A sequel-like record and report following up on 'To Africa to Defeat the Locusts'.

Field researchContinued investigations

Bibliography

  • When Solitary Locusts Gather: Phase Polyphenism and Major Outbreaks of the Desert Locust
  • To Africa to Defeat the Locusts
  • Urdo Insect Chronicles: To Africa to Defeat the Locusts (children's edition)
  • I'll Beat the Locusts — In Africa

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Humorous and accessible proseField-reporting and memoir-style narrative
Recurring Motifs
Field adventuresDeep affection for insectsIngenuity and perseverance

Health

  • Locust allergy (urticaria)
    バッタ研究開始から約2年後に発症、以降継続
    Causes urticaria upon direct contact with locusts, imposing restrictions on handling specimens

Legacy

Through field-focused research on the desert locust, he has influenced both the scientific community and the general public, contributing to science outreach via books and media appearances.

Academic Societies

  • Japanese Society of Applied Animal Entomology
  • The Japanese Society of Agricultural Science

Archives

  • Related materials held at JIRCAS archives

In Popular Culture

  • Known in media as the 'Locust Doctor' ("Batta-hakase")
  • Widely recognized through a column in President magazine and appearances such as NicoNico Academic

Trivia

  • Uses the middle name 'Ould', received in Mauritania, as part of his professional name
  • Inspired by Jean-Henri Fabre's Les Insectes in childhood and aspired to be an entomologist
  • His younger brother Takuro contributed illustrations and design for his books and merchandise
  • Field observation records from Mauritania were published and became bestsellers