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
Tag: Iriomote
Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
Species information Scientific name: Amegilla calceiferaJapanese name: アオスジコシブトハナバチChinese name: 甜無墊蜂English name: Ryukyu blue banded beeOrigin: Amami Oshima to Yonaguni Ecology and description Ryukyu blue banded bee has striking blue stripes on its abdomen and does not build beehives. Male bees rest at night by clamping onto branches with their mandibles. Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Ryukyu Blue Banded Bee
Grey-faced Buzzard
Species information Scientific name: Butastur indicusJapanese name: サシバChinese name: 灰面鵟鷹、灰面鷲English name: Grey-faced BuzzardOrigin: Breeds in Russia, China, Korea, and Honshu, Japan. Migrates to Southeast Asia for winter. Ecology and description Grey-faced Buzzard migrates through the Ryukyu Islands from breeding grounds in Honshu, Japan, and other regions, heading to Southeast Asia by early October. Flocks of… Continue reading Grey-faced Buzzard
Ryukyu Flycatcher
Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Species information Scientific name: Microhyla kuramotoiJapanese name: ヤエヤマヒメアマガエルChinese name: 八重山姬蛙、八重山小雨蛙English name: Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toadOrigin: Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description The Yaeyama narrow-mouthed toad was previously considered to be the Okinawajima narrow-mouthed toad (M. okinavensis). However, a 2020 phylogenetic study further separated the population in the Yaeyama Islands as a distinct species, M. kuramotoi, which is… Continue reading Yaeyama Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Yaeyama Palm
Species information Scientific name: Satakentia liukiuensisJapanese name: ヤエヤマヤシChinese name: 八重山椰子English name: Yaeyama palmOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is a palm tree that can reach a height of 25 meters. It is a rare monotypic genus species endemic to the Yaeyama Islands. Currently, there are only 3 natural cluster sites. However, it is… Continue reading Yaeyama Palm
Okinawa needlewood tree
Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In Japan, it is found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Schima wallichii is distributed mainly in the Ogasawara and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The populations in these two regions differ slightly in appearance,… Continue reading Okinawa needlewood tree
Halcyon Giant Centipede
Species information Scientific name: Scolopendra alcyonaJapanese name: リュウジンオオムカデChinese name: 琉神蜈蚣、青龍蜈蚣（TW）English name: Halcyon giant centipedeOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima, Taiwan Ecology and description This species was described as new in April 2021 ( Reference ), and it is the third known amphibious centipede species in the world. It inhabits stream environments and is known… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede
Sakishima Habu
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops elegansJapanese name: サキシマハブChinese name: 先島原矛頭蝮、先島波布、麗紋龜殼花、先島烙鐵頭English name: Sakishima HabuOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, but not distributed on Yonaguni and Hateruma. It is an introduced species in the southern and central parts of Okinawajima in Japan. Ecology and description Sakishima Habu is about 60-120cm in length, significantly smaller compared to Habu, with a variable… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
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