alderfly

[ awl-der-flahy ]

noun

, plural al·der·flies.

1. any of several dark-colored neuropterous insects of the family Sialidae, the larvae of which are aquatic and predacious on other aquatic insects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alderfly¹

First recorded in 1820–30; alder + fly ¹

Example Sentences

Surprisingly, many common orders of insects, including aquatic arthropods such as the alderfly, were featured rarely or not at all.

From Science Magazine