成虫(せいちゅう)

成虫(せいちゅう) is the final stage in an insect's life cycle — the fully developed adult form capable of reproduction.

Related words

• 卵(たまご): egg
• 幼虫(ようちゅう): larva
• 蛹(さなぎ): pupa, chrysalis
• 成虫(せいちゅう): adult insect (imago)

Common collocations

• 成虫(せいちゅう)になる: to become an adult (insect)
• 成虫(せいちゅう)の寿命(じゅみょう): adult insect's lifespan
• 成虫(せいちゅう)に羽化(うか)する: to emerge as an adult (from pupa)

Forms

成(せい) (mature, complete) + 虫(ちゅう) (insect).

Used in science education (理科(りか)) and nature observation. Japanese children often learn this vocabulary through カブトムシ (rhinoceros beetle) and セミ (cicada) life cycles.