Kanokoga - Kanokoga

A general term for the Ctenuchidae family of the Lepidoptera class of the Insecta, or one of the species. The species of this family are small moths with a wing span of about 30 to 40 mm, long and slender, somewhat similar to a bee, and active during the day. Many species have transparent markings on both the forewings and the front and back wings. They are found almost all over the world, but are more common in tropical regions, with a particularly large number of species in South America. Many species are confusingly similar to bees and tiger moths, and are thought to be mimicking these insects. There are about 3,000 known species in the world, but only three species are found in Japan. Two of these species are found on the mainland, and one on the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa.

The Japanese name for this moth is Amata fortunei , and it is the most common species found throughout Japan. Its wingspan is 30-38 mm, and it has transparent white spots scattered across a dark brown background. It appears twice a year, from June to August, and is often found in grasslands. The larvae are caterpillar-like and feed on dandelion leaves.

[Hiroshi Inoue]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

昆虫綱鱗翅(りんし)目カノコガ科Ctenuchidaeの総称、またはそのなかの1種。この科の種は、はねの開張30～40ミリメートル内外の小形のガで、体翅とも細長く、ハチにやや似ており、昼間活動する。前後翅とも透明の紋をもつ種が多い。ほとんど全世界に分布しているが、熱帯地方に多く、ことに南アメリカには種数が多い。ハチやヒトリガの一部と紛らわしいほど似ているものが少なくないが、これらの昆虫と擬態関係をもつものと推定されている。世界に約3000種が知られているが、日本にはわずか3種しか分布していない。そのうち2種が本土に、1種が沖縄の八重山(やえやま)列島に産する。

　和名カノコガAmata fortuneiは、日本各地に分布するもっとも普通の種。はねの開張30～38ミリメートルで、黒褐色の地に透明な白斑(はくはん)を散在する。年2回、6～8月に出現し草原に多い。幼虫は毛虫状でタンポポの葉を食べる。

［井上　寛］

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