Apterae is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language. However, it is a term that is often used in the scientific community, particularly in the field of entomology. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of apterae, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and how it is used in different contexts.
Definitions
Apterae is a term that refers to a group of insects that lack wings. These insects include aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. Apterae are also known as wingless insects. They are typically small in size and have a soft, plump body.
Origin
The term apterae comes from the Greek word “apteros,” which means “wingless.” The term was first used by the French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre in the 19th century to describe insects that lacked wings.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, apterae is defined as “a group of insects that lack wings.” Merriam-Webster defines apterae as “a group of insects that are wingless and have a soft, plump body.”
Associations
Apterae are often associated with agricultural pests. Aphids, one of the most common types of apterae, can cause significant damage to crops by feeding on the sap of plants. Whiteflies and scale insects can also cause damage to plants by feeding on them.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for apterae include wingless insects, flightless insects, and non-flying insects.
Antonyms
The antonym of apterae is “pterae,” which refers to insects that have wings.
The same root words
The root word “apteros” is also used in other scientific terms, such as apterygote, which refers to a group of wingless insects that includes silverfish and springtails.
Example Sentences
- The aphids on my tomato plants are apterae and cannot fly away.
- Scale insects are apterae, but they can still move around on plants.
- The entomologist was studying the diversity of apterae in the rainforest.
- Some species of ants have apterae workers that never develop wings.
- The greenhouse was infested with whiteflies, which are a type of apterae.