Palaeoptera
- Pronunciation
- /PAL-ee-OP-ter-uh/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Palaeoptera
- Plural
- Palaeoptera
Definition
A paraphyletic group of winged insects that includes mayflies and dragonflies, characterized by their ancient wing structure and inability to fold their wings back over their abdomen.
Etymology
From Greek 'palaios', meaning 'ancient', and 'ptera', meaning 'wings'.
Example
Palaeoptera are known from fossil records dating back to the Carboniferous period.