Species information Scientific name: Heteropoda venatoriaJapanese name: アシダカグモChinese name: 白額高腳蛛English name: Pantropical huntsman spiderOrigin: Tropical regions Ecology and description Pantropical huntsman spider is a large nocturnal spider. Females measure 28–33mm in body length and males 23–28mm, with a leg span of about 10cm. At night it is active both inside and outside houses, quickly seizing… Continue reading Pantropical huntsman spider
Tag: Ryukyu arc
Japanese mitten crab
Species information Scientific name: Eriocheir japonicaJapanese name: モクズガニChinese name: 日本絨螯蟹English name: Japanese mitten crabOrigin: Japan (Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands), Russia, Korea, Taiwan Ecology and description The Japanese mitten crab is a relatively large river crab, with a carapace width of up to 7–8 cm. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, soft, long hair… Continue reading Japanese mitten crab
Black paradise flycatcher
Species information Scientific name: Terpsiphone atrocaudataJapanese name: サンコウチョウChinese name: 紫綬帶English name: Black paradise flycatcherOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korean Peninsula, Lanyu, Batan Island in the Philippines Ecology and description The black paradise flycatcher is a summer visitor in Okinawa. From about April to October, it stays and breeds in Japan, including Okinawa, and then… Continue reading Black paradise flycatcher
Japanese Snowbell
Species information Scientific name: Styrax japonicusJapanese name: エゴノキChinese name: 野茉莉English name: Japanese snowbellOrigin: Widely distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu, Okinawa, Taiwan, China, and Korea Ecology and description Japanese snowbell adapts to relatively open forest environments and is therefore one of the common tree species along roadside areas in the Yambaru region. Although usually inconspicuous, Japanese… Continue reading Japanese Snowbell
Cavipes Hermit Crab
Species information Scientific name: Coenobita cavipesJapanese name: オカヤドカリChinese name: 凹足陸寄居蟹English name: Cavipes hermit crabOrigin: Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc. Ecology and description Cavipes hermit crab is the most common land hermit crab in the mountains and inland areas of Okinawa. Since this species has the highest degree of terrestrial adaptation, the land hermit crabs seen… Continue reading Cavipes Hermit Crab
Red Flower Crab
Species information Scientific name: Orisarma intermediumJapanese name: ベンケイガニChinese name: 中型東方相手蟹English name: Red flower crabOrigin: Korea; Pacific side south of Chiba Prefecture and Japan Sea side south of Akita Prefecture in Japan; northern, eastern, and Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan Ecology and description On summer nights in Yambaru, red flower crabs are often seen on the roads.… Continue reading Red Flower Crab
Shell Ginger
Species information Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbetJapanese name: ゲットウChinese name: 月桃English name: Shell gingerOrigin: Tropical to subtropical regions of Asia, including Southeast Asia, southern India, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Ecology and description Shell ginger is a very common plant in Okinawa, often planted by the fields as a windbreak hedge. The leaves of… Continue reading Shell Ginger
Ryukyu Minivet
Species information Scientific name: Pericrocotus tegimaeJapanese name: リュウキュウサンショウクイChinese name: 琉球山椒鳥English name: Ryukyu minivetOrigin: Kanto region to Kyushu, Japan, and Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu minivet has a grey belly. Males have a blacker head, while females have a greyer head. They are easier to observe during the breeding season in spring. Originally, the… Continue reading Ryukyu Minivet
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Species information Scientific name: Yungipicus kizukiJapanese name: コゲラChinese name: 小星頭啄木鳥English name: Japanese pygmy woodpeckerOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, parts of northeastern China. Ecology and description The Japanese pygmy woodpecker is approximately 13-15 cm in length and is a small woodpecker. It sometimes forages in mixed flocks with the Japanese white-eye or other tit… Continue reading Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Giant House Centipede
Species information Scientific name: Thereuopoda cluniferaJapanese name: オオゲジChinese name: 大蚰蜒、臀獵足蚰English name: Giant house centipedeOrigin: Widely distributed in warm, humid areas of East and Southeast Asia. In Japan, found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands. Ecology and description The giant house centipede can grow up to 7-10 cm and preys on insects and other… Continue reading Giant House Centipede