micropterous
- Pronunciation
- /my-KROP-ter-uhs/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- micropterous
- Plural
- micropterous
Definition
Having very small or reduced wings.
Etymology
From Greek 'micro-', meaning 'small', and 'pteron', meaning 'wing'.
Example
Some species of insects in the order Hemiptera are micropterous and are therefore less capable of flight.
Synonyms
- Brachiopterous
- Reduced-winged
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Micropterous is used to describe insects that have undergone evolutionary reduction in wing size, which may affect their ability to fly.