scutellum

American  

[skyoo-tel-uhm] / skyuˈtɛl əm /

noun

plural

scutella

1. Botany. the shieldlike cotyledon of certain monocots.

2. Zoology. a small plate, scutum, or other shieldlike part, as on the thorax of insects or the feet of birds.

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scutellum British  

/ skjuːˈtɛləm, ˈskjuːtɪˌleɪt, -lɪt /

noun

1. the last of three plates into which the notum of an insect's thorax is divided

2. one of the scales on the tarsus of a bird's leg

3. an outgrowth from a germinating grass seed that probably represents the cotyledon

4. any other small shield-shaped part or structure

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scutellum Scientific  

/ skyo̅o̅-tĕl′əm /

plural

scutella

1. A shieldlike bony plate or scale, as on the thorax of some insects.

2. The large, shield-shaped cotyledon of the embryo of a grass plant, specialized for the absorption of food from the endosperm.

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Other Word Forms

• scutellar adjective
• scutellate adjective

Etymology

Origin of scutellum

1750–60; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin scūt ( um ) shield ( see scute) + -ellum diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Found globally, these insects are named for their outsized scutellum, from the Latin word scutum, meaning shield.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2018

Thorax rounded anteriorly and compressed behind; the scutellum prominent, forming a small tubercle; the metathorax obliquely truncate, the margin of the truncation elevated, so that when viewed sideways the metathorax forms an obtuse angular shape.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

Upon the side of the embryo next the endosperm and enveloping it is a large shield-shaped body, termed the scutellum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

The Aradidae have two segmented feet, and a large visible scutellum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

Black; head, pro- and mesothorax, as well as the scutellum, glassy-smooth and shining; the face covered with silvery-white pile; the antennæ, tips of the mandibles, and the legs ferruginous; the palpi elongate and pale rufo-testaceous.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various