LEPIDOPTERAN

[lep.i.dop.ter.an] n [NL Lepidoptera, fr. lepid- + Gk pteron wing--more at feather] (ca. 1901): any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usu. covered with minute overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars -- lepidopteran adj -- lep.i.dop.ter.ous adj