neuropteran

neu·rop·ter·an  (n-rptr-n, ny-)

n.

A carnivorous insect of the order Neuroptera, such as the ant lion or dobsonfly, having four net-veined wings and mouthparts adapted for chewing.

adj.

Of or belonging to the Neuroptera.

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[From New Latin Neuroptera, order name : Greek neuron, vein, tendon; see neuron + Greek ptera, pl. of pteron, wing; see -pter.]

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neu·ropter·ous adj.

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neuropteran, neuropteron [njʊˈrɒptərən]

n pl -terans, -tera [-tərə]

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any neuropterous insect

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neuropteran  (n-rptr-n)

Any of various carnivorous insects of the order Neuroptera, having four net-veined wings and mouthparts adapted for chewing. Neuropterans include the lacewings and antlions. Formerly, the dobsonflies and alderflies, now classified as a separate order Megaloptera, and the snakeflies, now classified as the order Raphidiodea, were considered neuropterans.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

neuropteran - insect having biting mouthparts and four large membranous wings with netlike veins neuropteron, neuropterous insect insect - small air-breathing arthropod Neuroptera, order Neuroptera - an order of insects including: lacewings; antlions; dobsonflies; alderflies; fish flies; mantispids; spongeflies antlion fly, ant lion, antlion - winged insect resembling a dragonfly; the larvae (doodlebugs) dig conical pits where they wait to catch e.g. ants lacewing, lacewing fly - any of two families of insects with gauzy wings (Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae); larvae feed on insect pests such as aphids Corydalus cornutus, dobson fly, dobsonfly, dobson - large soft-bodied insect having long slender mandibles in the male; aquatic larvae often used as bait fish fly, fish-fly - similar to but smaller than the dobsonfly; larvae are used as fishing bait alder fly, alderfly, Sialis lutaria - dark-colored insect having predaceous aquatic larvae snakefly - predatory insect of western North America having a long necklike prothorax mantispid - insect that resembles a mantis; larvae are parasites in the nests of spiders and wasps spongefly, spongillafly - hairy-bodied insect whose larvae feed on freshwater sponges