てんとう虫(むし)

てんとうむし
noun
ladybug, ladybird
1. ladybug, ladybird
A small beetle with a rounded, dome-shaped body, typically red or orange with black spots. Considered beneficial in gardens as they eat aphids.
庭(にわ)にてんとう虫(むし)がいた。
There was a ladybug in the garden.
てんとう虫(むし)は害虫(がいちゅう)を食(た)べてくれる益虫(えきちゅう)だ。
Ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat pests.
赤(あか)と黒(くろ)の模様(もよう)のてんとう虫(むし)を見(み)つけた。
I found a ladybug with a red and black pattern.
てんとう虫(むし)は幸運(こううん)のシンボルとされている。
Ladybugs are considered a symbol of good luck.

KANJI: Can be written as 天道虫(てんとうむし) or 瓢虫(てんとうむし). Usually written in hiragana as てんとう虫(むし).

NAME ORIGIN: 天道(てんとう) refers to the sun or heavens. The name comes from the ladybug's habit of flying toward the sun when placed on a finger.

SPECIES IN JAPAN:

  • ナナホシテントウ - seven-spot ladybird (most common)
  • ナミテントウ - Asian ladybeetle
  • ニジュウヤホシテントウ - 28-spotted potato ladybird (plant pest)

ECOLOGICAL ROLE:

CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS: Like in Western cultures, ladybugs are associated with good luck in Japan. Finding one is considered a good omen.

RELATED INSECTS:

general
Added 2026.1.18 3:44 · Revised 2026.7.16 0:25
06000/06497_tentoumushi