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

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 Webster, Noah

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 Rosse, Irving C. (Irving Collins)

That his exquisite brochure on lepidopterous insects was in nearly all the public libraries of the world only gratified, but added nothing to his vanity.

From A Splendid Hazard by MacGrath, Harold

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 Garnett, Richard

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 Smith, John. B.