Translingual

Proper noun

Exopterygota

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

Usage notes

Not commonly used.

The Exopterygota differ from the Endopterygota in that they generally undergo an "incomplete" metamorphosis. Their life cycle typically lacks a clearly defined pupal phase. In winged species the nymphs (larvae) generally bear external wing rudiments, which immature members of the Endopterygota do not.

The Exopterygota life cycle is: egg → larva or nymph → adult or imago. The transformation from larva to adult is gradual and proceeds by moulting.

For comparison, the complete metamorphosic life cycle is: egg → larva → pupa → adult or imago.

Synonyms

• (superorder): Hemipterodea

Hyponyms

• (superorder): Blattodea (cockroaches), Dermaptera (earwigs), Embioptera (webspinners), Hemiptera (true bugs), Isoptera (termites), Mantodea (mantids), Notoptera (ice-crawlers and gladiators), Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc.), Phasmatodea (stick insects), Phthiraptera (lice), Plecoptera (stoneflies), Psocoptera (booklouse, barklouse), Thysanoptera (thrips), Zoraptera (angel insects) (orders)

See also

• exopterygote