Dealated

/diːˈeɪleɪtɪd/ adjective

Definition

Having had wings removed; specifically used in entomology to describe insects (like ants or termites) that have lost or been stripped of their wings.

Etymology

From 'de-' (remove) plus 'alate' (having wings, from Latin 'alatus,' related to 'ala' meaning 'wing') plus '-ed'. Used in scientific terminology for wingless forms.

Kelly Says

Queen ants and termites are actually dealated queens—they had wings when they were young winged forms but shed them after mating to settle down and start colonies, so 'dealated' describes this life stage change.

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