マツカレハ

also: まつかれは

Meanings

1

noun

pine moth; Dendrolimus spectabilis

usually written using kana alone

A moth species whose larvae feed on pine needles; the name is typically written in katakana.

マツカレハの幼よう虫ちゅうが松まつの葉はを食たべている。
The pine moth larvae are eating the pine needles.

松まつ+枯かれ葉は

Written forms

まつかれは
Hiragana spelling, also used but less common than katakana for this species.
松まつ枯かれ葉は
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
松枯葉蛾まつかれは
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form with the 蛾 (moth) radical; it is rarely used.

Etymology

The name マツカレハ literally means 'pine withered leaf', likely referring to the larva's appearance or its effect on pine foliage. The exact derivation is uncertain.