sb. pl. Ent. [mod. L., f. Gr. λεπιδο-, LEPIDO- + πτέρον wing.] A large order of insects, characterized by having four membranous wings covered with scales; it comprises the butterflies and moths.
[1735. Linnæus, Syst. Nat. (1758), I. 458.]
1773. T. P. Yeats, Inst. Entomol., 18. Lepidoptera, which have four wings, all membranaceous, and imbricated.
1866. Dk. Argyll, Reign of Law, i. (ed. 4), 38. Baits to tempt the nectar-loving Lepidoptera.
Hence Lepidopteral, Lepidopteran adjs., lepidopterous.
1828. Webster, Lepidopteral, belonging to the order of Lepidopters.
1855. Hyde Clarke, Dict., Lepidopteral, -terous, -teran.
1865. Wood, Homes without H., xix. 409. The tiny cylindrical cases that are made by certain lepidopteran larvæ.
