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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Neuroptera \Neu*rop"te*ra\, n. pl. [Nl., fr. gr. ? nerve + ? a
wing, fr. ? to fly.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of hexapod insects having two pairs of large,
membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth organs are adapted
for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and undergo a
complete metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and
lacewing fly are examples. Formerly, the name was given to a
much more extensive group, including the true Neuroptera and
the Pseudoneuroptera.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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