Apterygote

/æpˈtɛrɪɡoʊt/ noun

Definition

Any individual insect belonging to the Apterygota, a wingless insect such as a springtail or silverfish.

Etymology

Derived from Greek 'apteros' (wingless) plus '-gote' (a variant suffix form from 'ota'). Used as both singular and plural in scientific nomenclature.

Kelly Says

The humble springtail is an apterygote that can jump 100 times its own body length—if humans could jump proportionally, we'd clear a 30-story building in a single leap!

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