Lepidoptera

[ lep-i-dop-ter-uh ]

/ ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ə /

noun

the order comprising the lepidopterous insects.

Origin of Lepidoptera

1725–35; < New Latin; plural of lepidopteron

lepidopteron

[ lep-i-dop-ter-uh n ]

/ ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ən /

noun, plural lep·i·dop·ter·a [lep-i-dop-ter-uh] /ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ə/.

any lepidopterous insect.

Origin of lepidopteron

< New Latin, equivalent to lepido- lepido- + Greek -pteron, neuter of -pteros -pterous

Examples from the Web for lepidoptera

Frenatae: that series of Lepidoptera in which a more or less well- marked frenulum occurs.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
Of much interest is the variety displayed among the Lepidoptera in the season and the duration of the various instars.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 4|Various
The Coleoptera and the Lepidoptera form the glory of all great collections for their size and magnificence.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 3|Various
The two species of Lepidoptera examined have an equal pair of heterochromosomes.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens

They are lepidoptera which have antennæ which are other than club-shaped.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob Holland

Word Origin and History for lepidoptera

Lepidoptera

1773, "insects with four scaly wings," the biological classification that includes butterflies and moths, coined 1735 in Modern Latin by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl von Linné, 1707-1778) from Greek lepido-, comb. form of lepis (genitive lepidos) "(fish) scale" (related to lepein "to peel;" see leper) + pteron "wing, feather" (see pterodactyl).