The Japanese name for Pheropsophus jessoensis is “Miidera ground beetle”. The scientific name Jezo means Hokkaido, but in Japan it is a beetle species that is widely distributed except for the southern half of the Nansei Islands. It also lives in China and the Korean Peninsula.

The edge of a lake or a pond in a park is its habitat. However, since it is nocturnal, it is not seen during the day.

It has a characteristic self-defense function. When caught, it spews hot gas from the buttocks like a flatulence. This behavior relates with Miidera (Onjoji) temple.

There is a humorous painting of flatulence competition by a few men, which was left in Miidera Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.

There is the Otsu Painting Museum in front of Miidera Temple. This painting is exhibited there.