Definition of Lepidoptera

1. Noun. Moths and butterflies.

Exact synonyms: Order Lepidoptera
Generic synonyms: Animal Order
Group relationships: Class Hexapoda, Class Insecta, Hexapoda, Insecta
Member holonyms: Lepidopteran, Lepidopteron, Lepidopterous Insect, Family Nymphalidae, Nymphalidae, Family Satyridae, Satyridae, Danaidae, Family Danaidae, Family Pieridae, Pieridae, Family Lycaenidae, Lycaenidae, Family Tortricidae, Tortricidae, Family Lymantriidae, Lymantriidae, Family Geometridae, Geometridae, Family Pyralidae, Family Pyralididae, Pyralidae, Pyralididae, Superfamily Tineoidea, Tineoidea, Family Gelechiidae, Gelechiidae, Family Noctuidae, Noctuidae, Family Sphingidae, Sphingidae, Bombycidae, Family Bombycidae, Family Saturniidae, Saturniidae, Arctiidae, Family Arctiidae, Family Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampidae, Caterpillar

Definition of Lepidoptera

1. n. pl. An order of insects, which includes the butterflies and moths. They have broad wings, covered with minute overlapping scales, usually brightly colored.

Definition of Lepidoptera

1. [n]

Medical Definition of Lepidoptera

1. An order of insects, which includes the butterflies and moths. They have broad wings, covered with minute overlapping scales, usually brightly coloured. They have a tubular proboscis, or haustellum, formed by the two slender maxillae. 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 larvae, called caterpillars, are often brightly coloured, and they commonly feed on leaves. The adults feed chiefly on the honey of flowers. Origin: NL, fr. Gr, a scale + a feather, wind. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Lepidoptera

lepidocrocite
lepidocrocites
lepidodendrid
lepidodendrids
lepidodendroid
lepidodendroids
lepidodendron
lepidoganoid
lepidolite
lepidolites
lepidomelane
lepidomelanes
lepidophagy
lepidophobia
lepidopter
lepidopteran
lepidopterans
lepidopterist
lepidopterists
lepidopterits
lepidopterology
lepidopteron
lepidopterous
lepidopterous insect
lepidopters
lepidoptery
lepidosaur
lepidosauria
lepidosauromorph

Literary usage of Lepidoptera

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. International Catalogue of Scientific Literature by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1906)
"Descriptions of some new species of lepidoptera Heterocera from tropical South America. ... A catalogue of the lepidoptera-Rhopalocera of Trinidad. ..."

2. Report (1900)
"The Insect Fauna with especial reference to lepidoptera: 1. ... Classification of lepidoptera. 5. List of families and superfamilies. IV. ..."

3. Russian Central Asia: Including Kuldja, Bokhara, Khiva and Merv by Henry Lansdell (1885)
"THE lepidoptera collected by Fedchenko serve as the chief, but not the whole, of the materials for the following remarks :' for I made use of certain ..."

4. The Canadian Entomologist by Entomological Society of Canada (1863-1871), Entomological Society of Canada (1951- ), Entomological Society of Ontario (1901)
"SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN lepidoptera. ... The first attempt at an arrangement of the N. Am. lepidoptera, including a reform in the ..."

5. Applied Entomology; an Introductory Text-book of Insects in Their Relations by Henry Torsey Fernald (1921)
"CHAPTER XXIX THE lepidoptera The lepidoptera are the moths and ... The degree of development of the proboscis differs greatly in different lepidoptera, ..."

6. Geology of Wisconsin: Survey of 1873-1879 by Wisconsin Chief Geologist (1883)
"In this last stage, lepidoptera are rather beneficial than injurious, ... DIURNAL lepidoptera. BUTTERFLIES. Butterflies may be readily known by their ..."

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