A taxonomic classification of flies and insects lacking calypters (small wing-like flaps at the wing base), formerly used as a major division in insect taxonomy.
From Latin 'a-' (without) plus 'calyptrata' (having calypters). This scientific Latin term was established in the 19th century during the period of systematic insect classification.
Acalyptrata is becoming less common in modern taxonomy because scientists realized that the presence or absence of these tiny wing flaps didn't always reflect how insects were actually related evolutionarily.
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