蛾(が)

が
noun
moth
animal-insect
1. moth
A nocturnal insect related to butterflies, typically with duller coloring and feathery antennae, attracted to light.
蛾(が)が光(ひかり)に集(あつ)まってくる。
Moths gather around the light.
蛾(が)は夜行性(やこうせい)の昆虫(こんちゅう)です。
Moths are nocturnal insects.
夜(よる)窓(まど)を開(あ)けていたら、部屋(へや)の中(なか)に大(おお)きな蛾(が)が入(はい)ってきた。
When I left the window open at night, a large moth came into the room.
蛾(が)は蝶(ちょう)と似(に)ているけれど、多(おお)くの蛾(が)は夜(よる)に活動(かつどう)する点(てん)が違(ちが)います。
Moths look similar to butterflies, but many moths are different in that they are active at night.

Differences from butterflies (蝶(ちょう)):

  • Active at night (夜行性(やこうせい))
  • Feathery antennae (触角(しょっかく)が羽毛状(うもうじょう))
  • Usually duller colors
  • Rest with wings flat

Common types in Japan:

  • ヤママユガ (Japanese silk moth)
  • オオミズアオ (luna moth)
  • カイコガ (silkworm moth)
  • スズメガ (hawk moths)

The proverb 「飛(と)んで火(ひ)に入(い)る夏(なつ)の虫(むし)」 describes someone recklessly rushing into danger, like a moth to a flame.

Related

Counter: 一匹(いっぴき), 二匹(にひき)...

Related Words

Compare: 蝶(ちょう) (butterfly)
Related: 昆虫(こんちゅう) (insect (category))
Related: アゲハ (swallowtail butterfly)
Compare: 夏虫(なつむし) (summer insect)
core
Added 2026.1.14 21:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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