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: Insects
Cardiodactylus cricket (Forest cricket)
Species information Scientific name: Cardiodactylus guttulus Japanese name: キマダラマツムシChinese name: 黃斑鐘蟋English name: Cardiodactylus cricket (Forest cricket)Origin: Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Southeast Asia Ecology and description The Cardiodactylus cricket is the most common cricket in Okinawa. On Okinawa Island, adults can be found starting around mid-August. They are extremely abundant and serve as a primary food source… Continue reading Cardiodactylus cricket (Forest cricket)
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
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
Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Pyrocoelia matsumurai Japanese name: オキナワマドボタルChinese name: 沖繩窗螢English name: Okinawa Pyrocoelia FireflyOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and the Yaeyama Islands Pyrocoelia matsumurai, a species belonging to the genus Pyrocoelia, is divided into the following three subspecies: In the Yambaru region, if you turn off your flashlight near damp roadside ditches, you may be able… Continue reading Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Chinese Peacock Swallowtail
Papilio bianor Japanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 翠鳳蝶、烏鴉鳳蝶（台湾）、碧鳳蝶（香港）English name: Chinese Peacock SwallowtailOrigin: Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, northern Vietnam, India, Myanmar. In Japan, it is found in the Yaeyama Islands. This is a large species of swallowtail butterfly commonly seen in the Yaeyama Islands, but it is also found in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions. Its… Continue reading Chinese Peacock Swallowtail
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
Yambaru Chevron Cricket
Melanabropsis yanbarensis Japanese name: ヤンバルクロギリスChinese name: 山原烏黯螽English name: Yambaru Chevron CricketOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima The Yambaru Chevron Cricket was once thought to be endemic to Okinawajima, but its presence was also confirmed on Kumejima in recent years. It typically inhabits areas near large trees such as Castanopsis sieboldii that can form tree cavities. The presence of… Continue reading Yambaru Chevron Cricket
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
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Species information Scientific name: Vescelia pieli ryukyuensisJapanese name: リュウキュウサワマツムシChinese name: 琉球擬亮蟋、比爾擬亮蟋琉球亞種、皮爾氏亮蟋琉球亞種English name: Ryukyu stream cricketOrigin: Amamioshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Kumejima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description In streamside environments of Okinawajima and other islands, the clear and high-pitched calls of the Ryukyu stream cricket can often be heard. These sounds are courtship calls produced by males rubbing… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket