Lepidoptera
/ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərə/noun
An order of insects that includes butterflies and moths, characterized by wings covered in tiny scales.
Did you know?The scientific name comes from Greek lepis, lepidos meaning “scale” and pteron meaning “wing,” so the order’s name is a direct description of the microscopic scales that give butterfly and moth wings their color and texture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λεπίς (lepis), λεπίδος (lepidos)
“scale; husk; flake”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πτερόν (pteron)
“wing; feather”
Modern Scientific Latin
Latin
Lepidoptera
“scale-winged insects”
18th Century
French
lépidoptères
“butterflies and moths”
Modern English
English
Lepidoptera
“the insect order containing butterflies and moths”