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orthopteran

(ôr t̸häp′tər ən)

noun

any of a large order (Orthoptera) of mostly plant-eating insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids, having chewing mouthparts and narrow, hard forewings that cover membranous hind wings in most species, and undergoing gradual metamorphosis

Origin: < ModL Orthoptera < ortho- + Gr pteron, wing, feather

Related Forms:

orthopterous adjective

See orthopteran in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An insect of the order Orthoptera, characterized by folded membranous hind wings covered by narrow leathery forewings and mouthparts that are adapted for chewing. Insects of this order include the locusts, cockroaches, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin Orthoptera, order name

Origin: : Greek ortho-, ortho-

Origin: + Greek ptera

Origin: , neuter pl. of pteron, wing; see pet- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: