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.
庭にてんとう虫がいた。
There was a ladybug in the garden.
てんとう虫は害虫を食べてくれる益虫だ。
Ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat pests.
赤と黒の模様のてんとう虫を見つけた。
I found a ladybug with a red and black pattern.
てんとう虫は幸運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 or 瓢虫. Usually written in hiragana as てんとう虫.
NAME ORIGIN: 天道 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:
- 益虫 - beneficial insect
- アブラムシを食べる - eats aphids
- 害虫駆除 - pest control
CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS: Like in Western cultures, ladybugs are associated with good luck in Japan. Finding one is considered a good omen.
RELATED INSECTS:
- カブトムシ - rhinoceros beetle
- クワガタムシ - stag beetle
- カマキリ - praying mantis