アゲハ
あげは
noun
swallowtail butterfly
1.
swallowtail butterfly
A large, colorful butterfly of the family Papilionidae, known for its distinctive tail-like extensions on its hindwings.
庭にアゲハが飛んでいる。
A swallowtail butterfly is flying in the garden.
アゲハの幼虫は柑橘類の葉を食べる。
Swallowtail caterpillars eat citrus leaves.
黄色と黒の模様が美しいアゲハを見つけた。
I found a swallowtail butterfly with beautiful yellow and black patterns.
アゲハ refers to swallowtail butterflies, one of the most recognizable butterfly families in Japan. The full name is アゲハ蝶, but アゲハ alone is commonly understood.
ORTHOGRAPHY:
Written as アゲハ (katakana, most common), 揚羽 (kanji), or あげは (hiragana).
COMMON SPECIES IN JAPAN:
- ナミアゲハ: Asian swallowtail (most common, found in gardens)
- キアゲハ: Old World swallowtail
- クロアゲハ: black swallowtail
CULTURAL NOTE:
The 揚羽蝶 pattern (揚羽紋) is a traditional Japanese family crest (家紋) associated with the Taira clan. It remains one of the most popular 家紋 designs.
RELATED:
- 蝶: butterfly (general)
- 蛾: moth