citrus swallowtail butterfly
A specific species of butterfly (Papilio xuthus), common in Japan. The name is usually written in katakana as a biological species name.
庭にナミアゲハが飛んできた。
A citrus swallowtail butterfly flew into the garden.
Usually written in katakana as a species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is almost always written in kana.
Compound of 並 (nami, 'common') and 揚羽 (ageha, 'swallowtail butterfly'), referring to the common swallowtail species. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name reflects its prevalence.