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lepidoptera |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Insecta \In*sec"ta\, n. pl [NL. See {Insect}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) One of the classes of Arthropoda, including those that have one pair of antenn[ae], three pairs of mouth organs, and breathe air by means of trache[ae], opening by spiracles along the sides of the body. In this sense it includes the Hexapoda, or six-legged insects and the Myriapoda, with numerous legs. See {Insect}, n. 2. (Zo["o]l.) In a more restricted sense the Hexapoda alone. See {Hexapoda}. 3. (Zo["o]l.) In the most general sense the Hexapoda, Myriapoda, and Arachnoidea, combined. Note: The typical Insecta, or hexapod insects, are divided into several orders viz.: {Hymenoptera}, as the bees and ants; {Diptera}, as the common flies and gnats; {Aphaniptera}, or fleas; {Lepidoptera}, or moths and butterflies; {Neuroptera}, as the ant-lions and hellgamite; {Coleoptera}, or beetles; {Hemiptera}, as bugs, lice, aphids; {Orthoptera}, as grasshoppers and cockroaches; {Pseudoneuroptera}, as the dragon flies and termites; {Euplexoptera}, or earwings; {Thysanura}, as the springtails, podura, and lepisma. See these words in the Vocabulary. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Lepidoptera \Lep`i*dop"te*ra\ (-d[o^]p"t[-e]*r[.a]), n. pl [NL., fr Gr lepi`s -i`dos, a scale + ptero`n a feather, wing.] (Zo["o]l.) An order of insects, which includes the butterflies and moths. They have broad wings, covered with minute overlapping scales, usually brightly colored. Note: They have a tubular proboscis, or haustellum, formed by the two slender maxill[ae]. The labial palpi are usually large and the proboscis, when not in use can be coiled up spirally between them The mandibles are rudimentary. The larv[ae], called caterpillars, are often brightly colored, and they commonly feed on leaves. The adults feed chiefly on the honey of flowers. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: Lepidoptera n : moths and butterflies [syn: {Lepidoptera}, {order Lepidoptera}]
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