Moreton Bay bug

English

Moreton Bay bug or flathead lobster (Thenus orientalis)

Etymology

Named after Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia (by way of distinguishing it from the distantly-related Balmain bug (Ibacus peronii), but also found in many parts of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

Noun

Moreton Bay bug (plural Moreton Bay bugs)

1. (Australia) The species Thenus orientalis of the slipper lobster family; a common seafood item.
   • 2021 February, The Road Ahead, Brisbane, page 37, column 1:

     We settled on cumin-spiced lamb buns, Moreton Bay bug crystal dumplings and the char siu Ōra King salmon fillet.

Synonyms

• crayfish (Singapore)

Translations

Thenus orientalis

• Chinese:

  Cantonese: 琵琶蝦／琵琶虾 (pei⁴ paa⁴ haa¹)

  Mandarin: 琵琶蝦／琵琶虾 (pípáxiā)

• Malay: udang lubuk, udang ketak
• Thai: กั้งกระดาน
• Vietnamese: tôm mũ ni

See also

• Balmain bug (Ibacus peronii)
• shovelnose lobster (family Scyllaridae)

References

• Moreton Bay bug on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Thenus on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Thenus orientalis on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons