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

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Etymology

Origin of lepidopterous

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lepidopterous

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

Its most deadly enemy in the insect world is a small insect of the lepidopterous variety, which is known as the coffee-leaf miner.

From All About Coffee by William H. (William Harrison) Ukers

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

Paraclypeal piece: in lepidopterous pupa, occurs in some of the generalized families on each side of the maxillary palpi.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by John. B. Smith

No, child; some lepidopterous insects always leave a drop of red fluid when emerging from the pupa state.

From Bee and Butterfly A Tale of Two Cousins by Lucy Foster Madison

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