‖ Lepidoptera, n. pl. Ent.
(lɛpɪˈdɒptərə)
[mod.L., f. Gr. λεπιδο-, lepido- + πτέρον wing.]
A large order of insects, characterized by having four membranous wings covered with scales; it comprises the butterflies and moths.
| [1735 Linnæus Syst. Nat. (1758) I. 458.] 1773 T. P. Yeats Inst. Entomol. 18 Lepidoptera, which have four wings, all membranaceous, and imbricated. 1866 Duke of Argyll Reign of Law i. (ed. 4) 38 Baits to tempt the nectar-loving Lepidoptera. |
Hence lepiˈdopteral a., lepidopterous; lepiˈdopteran a., lepidopterous; also as n.
| 1828 Webster, Lepidopteral, belonging to the order of Lepidopters. 1855 Hyde Clarke Dict., Lepidopteral, -terous, -teran. 1865 Wood Homes without H. xix. 409 The tiny cylindrical cases that are made by certain lepidopteran larvæ. 1923 J. S. Huxley Ess. Biologist ii. 96 It is not only the burnt child who dreads the fire (although a study of moths and candles will convince us that ‘Lepidopteran’ cannot be substituted as subject of the proverb). 1971 Nature 13 Aug. 484/1 Similar responses of hymenopteran parasites to the mandibular gland secretions of their lepidopteran hosts may occur in other species. 1973 Ibid. 3 Aug. 253/1 One abundant lepidopteran is the southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania, a polyphagous species. 1973 Proctor & Yeo Pollination of Flowers iv. 96 The lepidopteran proboscis is very differently constructed from that of the Diptera. |