アカボウフラ

ア

カ

ボ

ウ

フ

ラ

Meanings

noun

bloodworm; red midge larva

usually written using kana alonerare term

Refers to the red aquatic larva of nonbiting midges (Chironomidae), often used as fishing bait or fish food. The term is rare and usually written in kana.

Kanji

赤red
孑mosquito wriggler
棒rod, stick, cane
振shake, wave, wag

Related words

ユスリカ
ユスリカ is the adult nonbiting midge, while アカボウフラ is its red aquatic larva.
ボウフラ
ボウフラ is a general term for mosquito or midge larvae; アカボウフラ specifically refers to the red-colored larvae of nonbiting midges.

Built from

赤あか+ボウフラ

Written forms

あかぼうふら
Hiragana spelling, also used.
赤あか孑孑ぼうふら
Rare kanji spelling; the characters are obscure and not commonly used.
赤棒振あかぼうふら
Rare kanji spelling; the characters are obscure and not commonly used.

Etymology

Compound of 赤 (aka, 'red') and ボウフラ (bōfura, 'mosquito larva'), referring to the red color of these midge larvae. The kanji spellings 赤孑孑 and 赤棒振 are rare and likely ateji or obscure character choices.