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
adjective also: lepidopterous
2.
of, relating to, or belonging to the order Lepidoptera
Word origin
C19: from New Latin lepidoptera, from lepido- + Greek pteron wing
Lepidoptera in American English
(ˌlepɪˈdɑptərə)
noun
the order comprising the lepidopterous insects
Word origin
[1725–35; ‹ NL; pl. of lepidopteron]
Examples of 'lepidoptera' in a sentence
lepidoptera
We frequently freight lepidoptera with psychological meaning.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Most bees have short tongues, so, for lepidoptera, the plants offer exclusive dining.