pterygote

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtɛrɪˌɡoʊt/

Definition

An insect belonging to the subclass that possesses wings or had ancestors that evolved wings.

Examples

• The evolution of flight in the pterygote lineage allowed insects to colonize diverse environments rapidly.

• Unlike wingless silverfish, every pterygote species exhibits some form of wing development during its life cycle.

• Biologists classify the vast majority of living insects as pterygote due to their shared evolutionary history of flight.

Synonyms of pterygote

Words with a similar meaning to pterygote:

• winged insect
• Pterygota

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