lepidopteran

American  

[lep-i-dop-ter-uhn] / ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ən /

adjective

1. lepidopterous.

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noun

1. a lepidopterous insect.

lepidopteran British  

/ ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərən /

noun

1. any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, typically having two pairs of wings covered with fragile scales, mouthparts specialized as a suctorial proboscis, and caterpillars as larvae: comprises the butterflies and moths

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the order Lepidoptera

lepidopteran Scientific  

/ lĕp′ĭ-dŏp′tər-ən /

1. Any of various insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by four large, flat, membranous wings covered with small scales. The larvae of lepidopterans are caterpillars. Lepidopterans include butterflies, moths, and skippers.

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Other Word Forms

• nonlepidopteran adjective

Etymology

Origin of lepidopteran

First recorded in 1850–55; Lepidopter(a) + -an

Example Sentences

He sold some of the dried lepidoptera specimens through an eBay account under the name “limmerleps,” pocketing tens of thousands of dollars.

From Seattle Times

Moths and butterflies have long fallen victim to two deadly threats: parasitic wasps and viruses, which battle each other over their lepidopteran hosts.

From Science Magazine

At times, it was so hot that Pomerantz, an integrative biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, struggled to keep his own sweat from contaminating his delicate lepidopteran samples.

From Science Magazine

I picture myself joining the enthusiasts who pursue butterflies and moths — or lepidoptera — the way others do constellations or red-winged blackbirds.

From Washington Post

At a friend’s urging, I contacted Bob Robbins, a research entomologist and curator of lepidoptera at the Smithsonian Institution.

From Washington Post