alderfly

[awl-der-flahy]

noun

plural

alderflies 

1. any of several dark-colored neuropterous insects of the family Sialidae, the larvae of which are aquatic and predacious on other aquatic insects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alderfly¹

First recorded in 1820–30; alder + fly ¹

Example Sentences

Surprisingly, many common orders of insects, including aquatic arthropods such as the alderfly, were featured rarely or not at all.

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