DERMAPTERAN Meaning and
Definition
-
A Dermapteran refers to any insect belonging to the order Dermaptera. Dermaptera, commonly referred to as earwigs, are a diverse group of insects characterized by their elongated flat bodies and unique hindwings. The name "Dermaptera" is derived from the Greek words "derma" meaning "skin" and "ptera" meaning "wings", which emphasizes their membranous hindwings that are typically concealed by their short leathery forewings.
Dermapterans are cosmopolitan insects and can be found in various habitats worldwide, including both terrestrial and freshwater environments. They are frequently encountered in garden soil, leaf litter, under tree bark, and in crevices of rocks or debris. With around 2,000 known species, they exhibit a wide range of sizes and colors, but common characteristics among Dermapterans include pincer-like forceps at the tip of their abdomen and the presence of cerci, which are paired appendages at the rear end of their body.
These insects are primarily nocturnal, seeking shelter during the day and actively foraging for food at night. While they are omnivores, feeding on a variety of plant matter, decaying organic material, and occasionally small insects, some species are known to be herbivores or predators.
Dermapterans have a unique mating behavior, where males engage in ritualized combat using their forceps to establish dominance and secure a mate. The female then lays eggs, which she guards until they hatch into nymphs resembling miniature versions of the adult.
Although earwigs possess a reputation for crawling into human ears, this is largely a myth as they do not seek these locations for shelter. Overall, Dermapterans play a role in ecosystems by aiding
Common Misspellings for DERMAPTERAN
- sermapteran
- xermapteran
- cermapteran
- fermapteran
- rermapteran
- eermapteran
- dwrmapteran
- dsrmapteran
- ddrmapteran
- drrmapteran
- d4rmapteran
- d3rmapteran
- deemapteran
- dedmapteran
- defmapteran
- detmapteran
- de5mapteran
- de4mapteran
- dernapteran
Etymology of DERMAPTERAN
The word Dermapteran comes from the combination of two Greek roots: derma meaning skin and ptera meaning wing. These two roots indicate the main characteristics of the insects belonging to the order Dermaptera, commonly known as earwigs. Earwigs have two pairs of wings, with the front pair being reduced and leathery, resembling a thickened skin. Hence, the name Dermapteran (sometimes spelled Dermaptiran) literally means skin-winged.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
