snow fly

noun

variants or snow insect
1
: any of several minute insects that constitute a genus (Boreus) of the order Mecoptera and sometimes appear on the snow in great numbers and in the males have vestigial wings but in the female are wingless
2
: any of several small American stone flies (especially Taeniopteryx nivalis or Capnella pygmaea) often seen on snow
3

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Cite this Entry

“Snow fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow%20fly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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