Scutellum (insect anatomy)

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.^[1] In Diptera and Hymenoptera the scutellum is nearly always distinct, but much smaller than (and immediately posterior to) the mesoscutum.

Scutellum in various types of insect
26=Heteroptera scutellum
6=Diptera scutellum
9=Coleoptera scutellum
10=Formicidae scutellum

^ Richards, O. W.; Davies, R.G. (1977). Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 0-412-61390-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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[isbn0-412-61390-5-1] Richards, O. W.; Davies, R.G. (1977). Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 0-412-61390-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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