order Embioptera
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- noun
- /ˈɔrdər ɛmˈbiːəptərə/
- Specialized
- Consider the order Embioptera: "In both males and females, the legs are short and sturdy, with an enlarged tarsomere on the first pair, containing the silk-producing glands."
Examples
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In the order Embioptera, both males and females use silk produced from their front legs to construct protective shelters.
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The insect species that belong to the order Embioptera are remarkable for their unique ability to spin silk galleries.
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Scientists study the order Embioptera to understand how these web spinners create intricate nests using their silk.
Synonyms
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A small, thin insect that spins silk tunnels with its front legs
Small insects that make silk from parts on their front legs to spin protective tunnels or webs
A small group of insects that spin silk to make tunnels
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'order' (a taxonomic grouping) and the taxon name 'Embioptera', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it means the taxonomic order containing those insects. This is a standard, cross-linguistic scientific naming pattern and therefore fully predictable from the parts (the only barrier would be unfamiliarity with the proper name itself).
Etymology
Order Embioptera are a group of insects sometimes called 'web spinners' because they act like tiny 'weavers' who use their front legs to spin silk. So the name helps you remember their habit of building long tube homes from silk.