Relating to insects with net-like or reticulate wing venation patterns, typically describing certain ancient insect groups.
From Greek 'dictyon' (net/mesh) and 'pteron' (wing), with the suffix '-an' denoting relation. The term describes insects whose wings show mesh-like vein patterns rather than simple linear venation.
When you look at a dragonfly's wing closely, you can see the intricate net of veins—that's dictyopteran venation, and it's incredibly strong and flexible, which is why dragonflies can dart and hover in ways that other insects with simpler wing patterns cannot.
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