‖ melolontha Ent.
(mɛləʊˈlɒnθə)
[mod.L. mēlolontha, ad. Gr. µηλολόνθη cockchafer.]
A genus of lamellicorn beetles, typical of the family (or sub-family) Melolonthidæ, and including the common cockchafer, M. vulgaris. Hence meloˈlonthian [+ -ian], meloˈlonthidan [+ -id + -an], melolonthidian [+ -id + -ian] adjs., belonging to the (sub) family Melolonthidæ; also ns., a beetle of this (sub) family; melolonthid a., pertaining to the Melolonthidæ; meloˈlonthine a., pertaining to the genus Melolontha. (In recent Dicts.)
| 1706 Phillips, Melolontha, the Beetle or May-bug; an Insect. 1842 T. W. Harris Insects injur. Veget. (1862) 30 We have several Melolonthians whose injuries in the perfect and grub state approach to those of the European cock⁓chafer. 1900 Ibis Apr. 240 A single melolonthid beetle. |