Neuroptera

‖Neu‐rop″te‐ra (–tē̍‐rȧ), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. νευ̑ρον nerve + πτερόν a wing, fr. πτέσθαι to fly.] (Zoöl.) An order of hexapod insects having two pairs of large, membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth organs are adapted for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and undergo a complete metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and lacewing fly are examples. Formerly, the name was given to a much more extensive group, including the true Neuroptera and the Pseudoneuroptera.