mecoptera
mecoptera — noun
1. the scientific name for a group of ancient insects that feed on other small anim
the scientific name for a group of ancient insects that feed on other small animals. They have long, narrow see-through wings marked with many veins, and a tube-shaped head with biting mouthparts at the front end. The young live and grow in damp ground. Scorpion flies and hanging flies are the main types within this group.
Valentina discovered three new species of mecoptera in the wet soil along the mountain stream.
collocation: species of mecoptera
Mecoptera are among the oldest insect groups that undergo complete metamorphosis.
grammar: always takes plural verb
The museum displayed a fossil mecopteran from the Jurassic with clear wing veins.
Niran found a hanging fly near the creek and identified it as a mecopteran.
A research team in Brazil recorded over forty species of mecoptera living in one forest.
用法筆記
In scientific English, 'Mecoptera' is a taxonomic plural noun that always takes a plural verb (e.g., 'Mecoptera are found worldwide'). To talk about one individual insect, use 'a mecopteran' instead (e.g., 'A single mecopteran landed on the leaf').