noun
handsome fungus beetle; Endomychidae
Refers to any beetle of the family Endomychidae. In everyday contexts, the word is often used loosely for beetles that resemble ladybugs but are not true ladybugs.
このてんとうむしだましは、本物のてんとう虫にそっくりだ。
This handsome fungus beetle looks just like a real ladybug.
noun
28-spotted ladybird; Epilachna vigintioctopunctata
Colloquial name for the 28-spotted ladybird, a specific species often found on crops. In casual use, てんとうむしだまし may refer to this pest species.
See also: 二十八星瓢虫
畑のナスにてんとうむしだましがついていた。
There were 28-spotted ladybirds on the eggplants in the field.