Lepidoptera

[ lep-i-dop-ter-uh ]

noun

1. the order comprising the lepidopterous insects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lepidoptera¹

1725–35; < New Latin; plural of lepidopteron

Example Sentences

Butterflies and moths -- collectively called Lepidoptera -- represent 10 per cent of all described animal species and are hugely important pollinators and herbivores in many ecosystems.

From Science Daily

The moth, named Mirlatia arcuata, by a research team from Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom, is one of the most remarkable discoveries in Lepidoptera of recent decades.

From Science Daily

So in the interest of helping everyone survive, Cosma has created a website to help people choose the best native plants for the Lepidoptera that live in their ZIP Codes.

From Los Angeles Times

Moths and butterflies belong to the same group of flying insects - called Lepidoptera, or "scale wings" in Greek, but likely emerged at different times in the geological past.

From BBC

However, studying diversity and abundance of night-flying Lepidoptera, the "moths," revealed the ongoing trends over the next decades.

From Salon