aphaniptera

pl. [Gr. (1) ἀφανής ( aphanes ) = unseen, invisible à, priv., and φανήναι (phanēnai), 2 aor. inf in. of φαίνομαι ( phainomai ) = to come to light, to appear; pa . of φαίνω ( phaino ) = to bring to light; and (2) πτερόν ( pteron ) = a feather, a wing.] An order of wingle insects, called by De Geer Suctoria, and by Leach Siphon apter a. They have a sucker of three pieces, and a true metamorphosis. The thorax is distinctly separated from the abdomen, and two horny plates mark the spots where in the higher insects wings would be. It contains the Pulicidsæ, or Fleas. [FLEA, PULICIDE, PULEX.]