1 lepidopteran | Definition of lepidopteran

lepidopteran

noun
lep·​i·​dop·​ter·​an | \ ˌle-pə-ˈdäp-tə-rən How to pronounce lepidopteran (audio) \

Definition of lepidopteran

: any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usually covered with minute overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars

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Other Words from lepidopteran

lepidopteran adjective
lepidopterous \ ˌle-​pə-​ˈdäp-​tə-​rəs How to pronounce lepidopterous (audio) \ adjective

Examples of lepidopteran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Potentially harmful lepidopteran larva was found in the peppers. Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, "The harmful seeds were hidden in luggage. Fortunately, Sheila the beagle found them. | Charlotte Observer," 16 Apr. 2018 In a riff on the magazine’s first cover, from 1925, by Rea Irvin, Blitt imagines a future in which our dandy mascot has become Eustace Vladimirovich Tilley and the lepidopteran under scrutiny is none other than a stunned Donald Trump. Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, "Cover Story: Tomer Hanuka’s “Spring Awakening”," 13 Mar. 2017 Mothra Mothra‘s enormous lepidopteran, unveiled onscreen in 1961, combines traits of both butterflies and moths. Hugh Hart, WIRED, "Mega-Monsters Make Magnificent Movies," 6 Apr. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lepidopteran.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lepidopteran

circa 1901, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lepidopteran

New Latin Lepidoptera, from lepid- + Greek pteron wing — more at feather

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More from Merriam-Webster on lepidopteran

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lepidopteran