Insecta \In*sec"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See Insect.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) One of the classes of Arthropoda, including
those that have one pair of antenn[ae], three pairs of
mouth organs, and breathe air by means of trache[ae],
opening by spiracles along the sides of the body. In this
sense it includes the Hexapoda, or six-legged insects and
the Myriapoda, with numerous legs. See Insect, n.
2. (Zo["o]l.) In a more restricted sense, the Hexapoda alone.
See Hexapoda.
3. (Zo["o]l.) In the most general sense, the Hexapoda,
Myriapoda, and Arachnoidea, combined.
Note: The typical Insecta, or hexapod insects, are divided
into several orders, viz.: Hymenoptera, as the bees
and ants; Diptera, as the common flies and gnats;
Aphaniptera, or fleas; Lepidoptera, or moths and
butterflies; Neuroptera, as the ant-lions and
hellgamite; Coleoptera, or beetles; Hemiptera, as
bugs, lice, aphids; Orthoptera, as grasshoppers and
cockroaches; Pseudoneuroptera, as the dragon flies
and termites; Euplexoptera, or earwings; Thysanura,
as the springtails, podura, and lepisma. See these
words in the Vocabulary.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Coleoptera \Co`le*op"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
sheath-winged; ? sheath + ? wing.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of insects having the anterior pair of wings
(elytra) hard and horny, and serving as coverings for the
posterior pair, which are membranous, and folded transversely
under the others when not in use. The mouth parts form two
pairs of jaws (mandibles and maxill[ae]) adapted for chewing.
Most of the Coleoptera are known as beetles and weevils.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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