noun
coleopterans; beetles
Obsolete taxonomic term for the order Coleoptera. In modern Japanese, 甲虫 (こうちゅう) or 甲虫類 (こうちゅうるい) is used instead.
See also: 甲虫 (かぶとむし)
古い昆虫学の文献では、鞘翅類という分類名が使われている。
In old entomological literature, the taxonomic name 鞘翅類 is used.
Modern term for the order Coleoptera, replacing 鞘翅類.
From 鞘 (しょう, 'sheath') + 翅 (し, 'wing') + 類 (るい, 'group'), referring to the hardened forewings (elytra) characteristic of beetles. The term is now obsolete.