HEXAPODA
Insecta, class Insecta, Hexapoda, class Hexapoda
(noun) insects; about five-sixths of all known animal species
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Hex*ap"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -poda.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: The true, or six-legged, insects; insects other than myriapods
and arachnids.
Note: The Hexapoda have the head, thorax, and abdomen differentiated,
and are mostly winged. They have three pairs of mouth organs, viz.,
mandibles, maxillæ, and the second maxillæ or labial palpi; three
pairs of thoracic legs; and abdominal legs, which are present only in
some of the lowest forms, and in the larval state of some of the
higher ones. Many (the Metabola) undergo a complete metamorphosis,
having larvæ (known as maggots, grubs, caterpillars) very unlike the
adult, and pass through a quiescent pupa state in which no food is
taken; others (the Hemimetabola) have larvæ much like the adult,
expert in lacking wings, and an active pupa, in which rudimentary
wings appear. See Insecta. The Hexapoda are divided into several
orders.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition