Definitions of terms used in Fossil Insects pages:

Apterygota: A subclass of insects which are primitively wingless, [ie they are not believed to have ever evolved wings and subsequently lost them].

Endopterygota: A division of the winged insects which undergoes complete metamorphosis [ie always accompanied by a pupal instar]; Holometabola.

Exopterygota: A division of the winged insects which undergoes incomplete metamorphosis [ie not accompanied by a pupal stage]; Hemimetabola.

Lagerstätte: A fossil "bonanza" site; a fossil deposit that is of particular and unusual importance because of the quality and quantity of the fossils it contains. (Plural: Lagerstätten)

Palaeoptera: Literally, "ancient-winged"; insect group in which the insects lack a hinge that would allow the wings to fold flat down against the dorsum of the abdomen.  

Pterygota: A subclass of insects which are primitively winged [but some of which may have secondarily lost their wings].

Neoptera: Insect group in which the wings can be folded down flat against the dorsum of the abdomen in repose.

Taphonomy: the circumstances and processes affecting the fossilization of animals or plants

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