noun
tiger beetle; Japanese tiger beetle
Refers specifically to Cicindela japonica, a common metallic-green beetle found in Japan. In everyday use, ハンミョウ usually means this species.
夏の山道でハンミョウを見つけた。
I found a tiger beetle on a mountain path in summer.
ハンミョウは金属光沢のある緑色をしている。
The tiger beetle has a metallic green sheen.
noun
blister beetle; oil beetle
Colloquial extension; sometimes used loosely for blister beetles (family Meloidae), but this usage is less common and may cause confusion. The cross-reference 土斑猫 (つちはんみょう) is the more precise term for blister beetles.
See also: 土斑猫
地域によっては、ハンミョウがツチハンミョウを指すこともある。
In some regions, ハンミョウ can refer to blister beetles.
Specifically means blister beetle (Meloidae). Use this term when you need to avoid ambiguity with the tiger beetle.
The kanji 斑猫 and 斑蝥 are Chinese-derived names for blister beetles. In Japanese, ハンミョウ shifted to primarily denote the tiger beetle, while the original blister beetle meaning survives in compounds like ツチハンミョウ.