Strepsiptera \Strep*sip"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a turning
(fr. ? to twist) + ? a wing.] (Zool.)
A group of small insects having the anterior wings
rudimentary, and in the form of short and slender twisted
appendages, while the posterior ones are large and
membranous. They are parasitic in the larval state on bees,
wasps, and the like; -- called also {Rhipiptera}. See Illust.
under {Rhipipter}.
[1913 Webster]