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Glite Dictionary
Sialidae

Sialidae

9.9
A family of insects that live near water and have soft bodies and long antennae
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Sialidae
  • Members of the Sialidae family are often observed near streams and ponds.

Examples

  • The Sialidae are distinguished from related insect families by their broad wings and aquatic larvae.

  • Entomologists collected several specimens of Sialidae during their survey of the wetland ecosystem.

  • The Sialidae family includes various species of alderflies.

  • Many Sialidae are found near freshwater sources.

  • Entomologists collected several specimens of Sialidae during their survey of the wetland ecosystem.

  • Members of the Sialidae family are often observed near streams and ponds.

  • The Sialidae are distinguished from related insect families by their broad wings and aquatic larvae.

Synonyms

family Sialidae
vsSialidae
  • Specialized
9.8

A group of water insects called alderflies that live in streams

are instead described as living near water rather than fully aquatic

Compounds

family Sialidae
  • Specialized
9.8

A group of water insects called alderflies that live in streams

Surface Forms

Sialidae singular
Sialidaes plural
Sialidae plural

Morphology

Sialidae = Sialis (opaque) = sialis + idae

Formed with the specialized taxonomic suffix '-idae' attached to a genus name; this suffix and the genus are unfamiliar to average learners, so the meaning 'family of insects' is not derivable.

Etymology

Sialidae comes from the scientific name Sialis plus the ending -idae, which scientists use to name an animal 'family', as in Canidae for the dog family. A helpful way to remember it is that Sialidae is the 'family' name for alderflies, the soft-bodied insects you often see near streams and ponds.