益虫(えきちゅう)

えきちゅう
noun
beneficial insect
1. beneficial insect; useful insect
An insect that is considered useful to humans, typically because it pollinates crops, eats pests, or produces useful substances like silk or honey. The opposite of 害虫 (harmful insect).
てんとう虫(むし)は益虫(えきちゅう)だ。
Ladybugs are beneficial insects.
益虫(えきちゅう)は害虫(がいちゅう)を食(た)べてくれる。
Beneficial insects eat pest insects for us.
農薬(のうやく)を使(つか)いすぎると益虫(えきちゅう)まで殺(ころ)してしまう恐(おそ)れがある。
If you use too many pesticides, there is a risk of killing beneficial insects as well.

USAGE:
A compound of 益(えき) (benefit, profit) + 虫(ちゅう) (insect). Used in agriculture, gardening, and biology. Common examples of 益虫(えきちゅう) include てんとう虫(むし) (ladybugs), 蜜蜂(みつばち) (honeybees), and 蜘蛛(くも) (spiders, though technically arachnids).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 益虫(えきちゅう)を守(まも)る (to protect beneficial insects)
  • 益虫(えきちゅう)と害虫(がいちゅう) (beneficial and harmful insects)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 害虫(がいちゅう): harmful insect, pest — the opposite, insects that damage crops or spread disease

Related Words

Antonym: 害虫(がいちゅう) (pest)
general
Added 2026.3.19 12:57 · Revised 2026.4.11 10:25
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