ウスバカゲロウ

ウ

ス

バ

カ

ゲ

ロ

ウ

Meanings

noun

antlion; lacewing larva

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the insect family Myrmeleontidae, especially the species Hagenomyia micans. The larva is known for digging pit traps; see also 蟻地獄 (antlion pit/larva).

Kanji

薄dilute, thin, weak (tea)
羽feathers, counter for birds, rabbits
蜉kind of ant, may fly
蝣mayfly
翅(insect) wings, fly, merely

Related words

蟻あり地じ獄ごく
蟻地獄 refers specifically to the pit trap or the larva itself, while ウスバカゲロウ is the general term for the insect (adult or larva).

Built from

薄うす+羽う+かげろう

Written forms

うすばかげろう
Hiragana spelling is also used, though katakana is more common for biological names.
薄うす羽ば蜉蝣かげろう
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
薄翅蜉蝣うすばかげろう
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.

Etymology

The name ウスバカゲロウ literally means 'thin-winged mayfly-like insect' (薄羽蜉蝣). The derivation is transparent from the kanji, but the exact historical origin of the name is uncertain.