Species information Scientific name: Polyura eudamippusJapanese name: フタオチョウChinese name: 雙尾蛺蝶English name: Great nawabOrigin: Southern, Eastern, and Western China, Taiwan, Japan (only on Okinawajima) Ecology and description Great nawab is distributed only on Okinawajima in Japan, where it is designated as a natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture. The great nawab flies at high speeds and chases… Continue reading Great Nawab
Category: Butterflies & Moths
Japanese Silk Moth
Species information Scientific name: Antheraea yamamai yambaruJapanese name: ヤママユ（沖縄亜種）Chinese name: 大透目天蠶蛾（沖繩亞種）English name: Japanese silk mothOrigin: It is distributed in Korea, parts of China, Taiwan, and Japan. In Japan, it is found from Hokkaido to Okinawa, while this subspecies is restricted to Okinawajima. Ecology and description The Japanese silk moth (Antheraea yamamai) in Japan is classified… Continue reading Japanese Silk Moth
Forest Quaker
Species information Scientific name: Pithecops corvusJapanese name: リュウキュウウラボシシジミChinese name: 黑丸灰蝶English name: Forest Quaker, Pithecops corvusOrigin: Southeast Asia, southern China, Taiwan. In Japan, it is only found on Okinawajima and Iriomote. Ecology and description Forest Quaker is a small lycaenid butterfly, characterized by a black circular spot on its hindwings. The larvae feed on plants of… Continue reading Forest Quaker
Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Species information Scientific name: Rinaca japonica ryukyuensisJapanese name: クスサンChinese name: 雙黑目天蠶蛾（琉球亞種）English name: Okinawa giant silkwormOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima Ecology and description The Rinaca japonica species is divided into three subspecies based on their distribution: The adults of the Ryukyu subspecies have a darker color than the mainland subspecies. Although the Japanese name クスサン (Camphor… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Silkworm
Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Species information Scientific name: Papilio bianor juniaJapanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 八重山翠鳳蝶English name: Yaeyama peacock swallowtailOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The Yaeyama peacock swallowtail is a large swallowtail common in the Yaeyama Islands, with a forewing length of 45–80mm. The larvae feed on plants of the citrus family (Rutaceae), and the adults often rest on… Continue reading Yaeyama peacock swallowtail
Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Species information Scientific name: Loepa sakaeiJapanese name: ハグルマヤママユChinese name: 琉球黃豹天蠶蛾English name: Ryukyu Golden Emperor MothOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima Ecology and description This species is a very beautiful large moth with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be seen from March to October, but it is rare and not often encountered. The larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth