Definitions

1. noun

A small, usually triangular or wing-shaped plate on the elytra or thorax of certain beetles, serving as a base for the wings or used for other purposes.

“The entomologist examined the scutellum of the beetle specimen under a microscope.”

2. noun

A small, oval or shield-shaped structure on the thorax of certain insects, such as bees and wasps, which serves as a base for the wings.

“The scutellum of the bee is a crucial part of its flight mechanism.”