- 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.
Definition
[ n. pl.]