ハンミョウ

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.

• 夏なつの山やま道みちでハンミョウを見みつけた。

  I found a tiger beetle on a mountain path in summer.

• ハンミョウは金きん属ぞく光こう沢たくのある緑みどり色いろをしている。

  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: つちはんみょう

• 地ち域いきによっては、ハンミョウがツチハンミョウを指さすこともある。

  In some regions, ハンミョウ can refer to blister beetles.