violin beetle; ghost walker
Refers to the violin beetle (Mormolyce phyllodes), a species of ground beetle known for its flattened, violin-shaped body. Also called ghost walker.
See also: バイオリンむし
The violin beetle is named for its flat body, which resembles a violin.
Violin beetles can be found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.
Katakana spelling is common for this insect name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the insect name is normally written in kana.
From 団扇 (uchiwa, 'round fan') + 虫 (mushi, 'bug'), referring to the insect's flat, fan-like shape. The exact derivation is uncertain; the name is descriptive.