What does Lepidoptera mean in Greek?
With the exception of a few moths, all adult lepidopterans have two pairs of wings. The name Lepidoptera is derived from the Greek, meaning “scaly winged,” and refers to the characteristic covering of microscopic dustlike scales on the wings.
What does Lepidoptera mean in Latin?
[1850–55; New Latin Lepidoptera=lepido- + Greek pterón feather] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun. 1. lepidopteran – insect that in the adult state has four wings more or less covered with tiny scales.
What is a defining characteristic of Lepidoptera?
The scientific name of the order, Lepidoptera, is derived from one of their main characteristics, namely their having wings covered in tiny scales (from the Greek lepidos = scale and pteron = wing). Most butterflies and moths feed through a specialised tube formed by some of the mouthparts, known as a proboscis.
Is Lepidoptera singular or plural?
plural noun ‘Butterflies and moths make up the biological order Lepidoptera. ‘ ‘The insect order Lepidoptera, with as many as 100,000 species, is second only to the Coleoptera, the beetles.
What does Lepidoptera mean in English?
Medical Definition of lepidoptera 1 capitalized : a large order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usually covered with overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars.
What does Odonata mean in English?
Odonata is an order of carnivorous insects, encompassing dragonflies and damselflies. The word dragonfly is also sometimes used to refer to all Odonata, but odonate is a more correct English name for the group as a whole.
What is the meaning of plecoptera?
: an order of insects constituted by the stone flies.
What is the common name of Odonata?
dragonflies
What does Orthoptera mean in English?
Orthoptera (Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthós, “straight”) + πτερά (pterá, “wings”)) is an order of insects that comprises the grasshoppers, locusts and crickets, including closely related insects such as the katydids and wētā.
Why do Orthopterans have two pairs of wings?
They are all herbivores, and can be quite destructive as in the case of locusts. Their back legs have been adapted for jumping. They have two pairs of wings – thick but slender fore wings lie over the back, protecting the membranous fan-shaped hind wings.
How many Orthopteras are there?
The number of described species of Orthoptera is approximately 25,000. This number, however, probably represents only a half or less of the actual number of species of Orthoptera present on earth today.
What is the largest lepidopteran?
Hugo Kons, Jr. Thysania agrippina (Noctuidae: Catocalinae), the white witch moth, has the largest reported wing span of any lepidopteran. This neotropical species is reported to attain wing expanses of up to 280mm.
Are cockroaches in Orthoptera?
At one time the cockroaches were considered to be part of the Order: Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and Crickets) but have since been classified as a separate Order called Blattodea.
Which family belongs to order Lepidoptera?
Superfamily Bombycoidea Approximately 3,400 species; adults large to very large; male antennae comblike in form. 350 species worldwide except Europe; most common in Asian and New World tropics; includes the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori); related family: Eupterotidae.
Can Butterflies mate with moths?
Pheromones. Butterflies and moths release pheromones to attract one another for mating. Some male moths and butterflies have specific scales located on their wings that produce pheromones to attract females of the same species.
What insect looks like a butterfly?
I still like butterflies, but let’s be honest, moths need some love. They just aren’t as popular as butterflies, and they certainly should be! Both belong to the large order of insects, Lepidoptera, which refers to the tiny scales covering most moth and butterfly wings.
What is difference between moth and butterfly?
Butterflies tend to fold their wings vertically up over their backs. Moths tend to hold their wings in a tent-like fashion that hides the abdomen. Butterflies are typically larger and have more colorful patterns on their wings. Moths are typically smaller with drab-colored wings.
Why do we like butterflies but not moths?
Butterflies are drawn to flowers which they pollinate while you might enjoy your coffee in your backyard. Moths are drawn to light which is probably directly overhead when you are enjoying a drink at night.