Species information Scientific name: Muda kuroiwaeJapanese name: クロイワゼミChinese name: 黑岩蟬English name: Kuroiwa cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima Ecology and description The Kuroiwa cicada is the only cicada in Japan with a green body, but it is not easy to see. Why it is hard to find: So to find one, you first need to know where they… Continue reading Kuroiwa cicada
Tag: Okinawajima
Stereophaedusa valida
Species information Scientific name: Stereophaedusa validaJapanese name: オキナワギセルChinese name: 沖繩煙管蝸牛English name: Stereophaedusa validaOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Stereophaedusa valida has two subspecies: The shell is about 30mm long. This snail lives on tree trunks, and the tip of its shell often breaks when it falls from a tree. References:Kubo H, Kurozumi T (1995) 沖縄の海の貝・陸の貝 (Marine… Continue reading Stereophaedusa valida
Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus kuroiwaeJapanese name: クロイワトカゲモドキChinese name: 黑岩氏瞼虎English name: Kuroiwa's ground geckoOrigin: South-central Okinawajima, Iejima, Sesokojima, and Yagajijima Ecology and description This species is distributed south of the Nago region on Okinawajima. The back typically has a distinct central longitudinal stripe, while lateral bands are usually absent or incomplete. There is significant variation… Continue reading Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko
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
Luchuena reticulata
Species information Scientific name: Luchuena reticulataJapanese name: キカイキセルガイモドキChinese name: 網紋琉球似煙管蝸牛English name: Luchuena reticulataOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawajima Ecology and description This species is endemic to the Amami Islands and Okinawajima. In the scientific name Luchuena reticulata, Luchuena is the genus name: Luchu means Ryukyu and ena refers to the land snail genus Ena. This genus occurs… Continue reading Luchuena reticulata
Scutellaria rubropunctata
Species information Scientific name: Scutellaria rubropunctataJapanese name: アカボシタツナミソウChinese name: 斑點黃芩English name: Scutellaria rubropunctataOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description Scutellaria rubropunctata is a perennial herb in the mint family that grows at forest edges and in grasslands in the mountains. It is 10–30cm tall, with a stem that creeps along the ground at the… Continue reading Scutellaria rubropunctata
Ryukyu Raspberry
Species information Scientific name: Rubus grayanusJapanese name: リュウキュウキイチゴChinese name: 中南懸鉤子English name: Ryukyu RaspberryOrigin: China, and in Japan from Tanegashima and Yakushima southwards Ecology and description Ryukyu Raspberry is the most common and abundant raspberry species in the Yambaru area. In winter, large white flowers can be seen along forest roads. Since the flowers bloom downwards,… Continue reading Ryukyu Raspberry
Itajii chinkapin
Species information Scientific name: Castanopsis sieboldii var. lutchuensisJapanese name: イタジイChinese name: 長果椎、長果錐English name: Itajii chinkapinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni Ecology and description Found south of Amami Oshima, Itajii chinkapin is one of the varieties of Castanopsis sieboldii (var. lutchuensis) and one of the most dominant… Continue reading Itajii chinkapin