Translingual

Inachis io (Lepidoptera), emerging from a chrysalis (pupa)

Proper noun

Endopterygota

1. A taxonomic superorder within the infraclass Neoptera – various winged insects that undergo radical metamorphosis.

Usage notes

Endopterygota typically undergo a "complete" metamorphosis, during which their wings develop internally during the pupal phase and appear in the emerging adult. The grouping is thus also called Holometabola. Contrast this with the Exopterygota (in which the wings develop externally and the pupal stage is omitted) and Apterygota (which are primitively wingless). Note that fleas, for example, are not primitively wingless, but are descended from winged insects.

The complete metamorphosic life cycle is: egg → larva → pupa → adult or imago.

Synonyms

• (superorder): Holometabola

See also

• Amphiesmenoptera
  • Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
  • Trichoptera (caddisfly)
• Coleoptera (beetles)
• Diptera (flies, mosquitos and gnats)
• Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants)
• Mecoptera (scorpion flies)
• Megaloptera (alderflies)
• †Miomoptera
• Neuroptera (lacewings etc)
• Raphidioptera
• Siphonaptera (fleas)