Describing an insect, especially an ant or termite, that has lost or been stripped of its wings.
Same etymology as the verb form—from de- plus Latin ala (wing). Used as both verb and adjective in entomological terminology.
A dealate queen ant or termite is one of the most important individuals in the colony—she's stopped flying and committed to starting a new nest, which is why she shed her wings in the first place.
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