Saturniidae

plural noun

Sat·​ur·​ni·​idae
ˌsatərˈnīəˌdē
: an important and widely distributed family of moths including some of the largest insects known, having a stout hairy body, strong wide wings, and antennae which are bipectinate to the tip, having larvae which spin silken cocoons, and comprising among others the io, polyphemus, luna, and cecropia moths, the pernyi and tussah silkworms, and the Atlas moth

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Saturnia, type genus + -idae

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Dictionary Entries Near Saturniidae

Cite this Entry

“Saturniidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Saturniidae. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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