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
lepidopteran in American English
(ˌlɛpəˈdɑptərən)
noun
any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects, consisting of the butterflies andmoths, characterized by two pairs of broad, membranous wings covered with very fine scales, often brightly colored: the larvae are caterpillars