lepidopterous

American  

[lep-i-dop-ter-uhs] / ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər əs /

Or lepidopteral

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Lepidoptera, an order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers, that in the adult state have four membranous wings more or less covered with small scales.

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Other Word Forms

• nonlepidopteral
  adjective
• nonlepidopterous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lepidopterous

First recorded in 1790–1800; Lepidopter(a) + -ous

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lepidopterous

He leaves us, however, to imagine under what possible geographical conditions the climate in Europe could be too severe for a lepidopterous fauna, while at the same time Central Asia could maintain an abundant one.

From The History of the European Fauna by Robert Francis Scharff

The spider, it appears, is an "undescribed species of Erigone," and the larvæ are probably lepidopterous.

From The First Landing on Wrangel Island With Some Remarks on the Northern Inhabitants by Irving C. (Irving Collins) Rosse

One of several lepidopterous insects which construct, in the larval state, a baglike case which they carry about for protection.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster

I greatly fear," he continued, "that the omission to which I have reluctantly adverted is to a certain extent typically characteristic of the entire political and social economy of the lepidopterous order.

From The Twilight of the Gods, and Other Tales by Richard Garnett

Darwin was well aware of the power of individual colour adjustment, now known to be possessed by large numbers of lepidopterous pupae and larvae.

From Darwin and Modern Science by A. C. (Albert Charles) Seward