Species information Scientific name: Sophiodela okinawanaJapanese name: オキナワハンミョウChinese name: 沖繩虎甲蟲English name: Okinawa tiger beetleOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is an endemic tiger beetle of Okinawa, with populations on Ishigaki Island being artificially introduced. Tiger beetles are carnivorous insects that prey on ants, earthworms, and other small creatures. Field photographs taken during our tours,… Continue reading Okinawa Tiger Beetle
Category: Beetles
Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Species information Scientific name: Serrognathus titanus okinawanusJapanese name: オキナワヒラタクワガタChinese name: 沖繩扁鍬形蟲、沖繩扁鍬English name: Okinawa giant stag beetleOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kourijima, Minnajima, Sesokojima, Hamahigajima, Tsukenjima, Tokashikijima, Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima, Kumejima Ecology and description The Giant Stag Beetle Serrognathus titanus is widely distributed across Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, with 12 subspecies recorded in Japan.… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Pyrocoelia matsumurai
Species information Scientific name: Pyrocoelia matsumuraiJapanese name: オキナワマドボタルChinese name: 沖繩窗螢English name: Pyrocoelia matsumuraiOrigin: Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Yagajijima, Tokashikijima, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kohamajima Ecology and description Pyrocoelia matsumurai is a species of the genus Pyrocoelia and has three subspecies: The larvae of P. matsumurai are terrestrial and carnivorous, feeding on land snails and other terrestrial mollusks. In… Continue reading Pyrocoelia matsumurai
Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Species information Scientific name: Pachyrhynchus infernalisJapanese name: クロカダゾウムシChinese name: 八重山球背象鼻蟲English name: Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus weevilOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description This species is the only representative of the genus Pachyrhynchus confirmed to occur in Japan, and it is found only on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima. Members of this genus are primarily distributed across the Philippine islands, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Species information Scientific name: Tricholontha papagenaJapanese name: ケブカコフキコガネChinese name: 多毛粉吹金龜English name: Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab BeetlesOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha within the Melolonthidae family. Male individuals have large lamellate antennae, and the Japanese name ケブカ (meaning “hairy”) refers to the many short hairs on their elytra.… Continue reading Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Trypoxylus dichotomus takaraiJapanese name: オキナワカブトムシChinese name: 沖繩獨角仙English name: Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)Origin: Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Iejima, Iheyajima Ecology and description This beetle is the Okinawa subspecies of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle found on mainland Japan, and it occurs only in the Okinawa Islands. Compared with the mainland subspecies, the males have… Continue reading Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Okinawa subspecies)
Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus
Species information Scientific name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusJapanese name: オオシマトラフコガネ 沖縄亜種Chinese name: 雙環斑金龜（沖繩亞種）English name: Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanusOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima, Iheyajima Ecology and description Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus is a small scarab beetle of the Okinawa Islands, with a body length of 11.7–13.5mm. Adults appear from March to May and are not abundant. They are occasionally found on… Continue reading Paratrichius duplicatus okinawanus