てんとうむしだまし

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、本ほん物もののてんとう虫むしにそっくりだ。

  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: ニジュウヤホシテントウ

• 畑はたけ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.