Pheropsophus jessoensis; bombardier beetle species
A specific species of bombardier beetle found in Japan. The name is a biological taxon; in everyday contexts, it is simply a type of ゴミムシ (ground beetle).
The Pheropsophus jessoensis beetle sprays hot gas when attacked by a predator.
We often see Pheropsophus jessoensis beetles around here.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely encountered and mainly of historical or entomological interest.
Alternate ateji kanji spelling; even less common than 三井寺歩行虫.
The name ミイデラゴミムシ is a compound of 三井寺 (Mii-dera, a temple in Shiga Prefecture) and ゴミムシ (ground beetle). The exact reason for the temple association is uncertain, but it may refer to the location where the species was first described or commonly found.