dipteran
- noun
- /ˈdɪptərən/
- Specialized
:
díptero
- The dipteran is known for its unique life cycle, which includes both aquatic larvae and winged adults.
Examples
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The dipteran flew effortlessly around the garden, searching for food with its specialized mouthparts.
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We observed a dipteran resting on a flower, its wings shimmering in the sunlight.
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There were also 13 species of Dipteran needle midges, leaf miners, and four species of thrips (Thysanoptera).
Academic text (2010) -
Thus, organisms that burrow in stream and lake beds, such as dipteran larvae, are sediment organisms, even though they may make diel migrations into the water column and spend their adult life flying and mating in the air or on trees.
Academic text (2000)
Synonyms
341
1.0
A small animal with a body in three parts, six legs and often wings
An insect like a fly that has one pair of wings
An insect with one pair of wings like a fly or mosquito
An insect with one pair of wings like a fly or mosquito
Surface Forms
Morphology
dipteran = Diptera (opaque) = dipter + an
The suffix '-an' is a regular adjectival/noun-forming addition to the taxonomic name 'Diptera' to indicate a member or adjective relating to that order.
Etymology
The word dipteran comes from Greek parts di- 'two' and pteron 'wing', so it names insects with one pair of wings. Think of the pteron part as in helicopter, and that helps you remember a dipteran is a 'two-winged' insect like a fly or mosquito.