SCUTELLUM

Scutellum

The scutellum is the posterior portion of either the mesonotum or the metanotum of an insect thorax; however, it is used almost exclusively in the former context, as the metanotum is rather reduced in most insect groups. In the Hemiptera, and some Coleoptera, the scutellum is a small triangular plate behind the pronotum and between the forewing bases. In Diptera and Hymenoptera the scutellum is nearly always distinct, but much smaller than the mesoscutum.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Scutellum (insect anatomy)
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scutellum

Noun

  1. Any of several shield-shaped structures in insects, grasses etc
    1. A rounded apothecium having an elevated rim formed of the proper thallus, the fructification of certain lichens.
    2. The third of the four pieces forming the upper part of a thoracic segment of an insect. It follows the scutum, and is followed by the small postscutellum.
    3. One of the transverse scales on the tarsi and toes of birds.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: scutellum
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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