Pterygotes

Definition

Pterygotes are a subclass of insects characterized by the presence of wings or winged ancestors. They represent the majority of insect species, including all flying insects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pterygotes include both winged insects and those that secondarily lost their wings.
2. This group is distinguished from apterygotes, which are primitively wingless insects.
3. Pterygota is divided into two infraclasses: Paleoptera (old-winged) and Neoptera (new-winged).
4. Neopteran insects have the ability to fold their wings back over their abdomen, unlike Paleoptera.
5. Examples of pterygote orders include Diptera (flies), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), and Hymenoptera (bees and ants).

Related terms

Apterygote: Insects that are primitively wingless.

Paleoptera:

An infraclass of Pterygota consisting of old-winged insects that cannot fold their wings back over their abdomen.

Neoptera: An infraclass of Pterygota whose members can fold their wings flat over their abdomens.