Shield-backed bugs
- Pronunciation
- /SHIELD-backed BUGS/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Shield-backed bug
- Plural
- Shield-backed bugs
Definition
Members of the family Scutelleridae (order Hemiptera), characterized by a prominent, shield-like scutellum that covers their wings and abdomen.
Etymology
From the Latin 'scutellum', meaning 'shield', and 'Hemiptera', meaning 'half-wing'.
Example
The shield-backed bugs are known for their impressive defense mechanism, which involves a hard, protective scutellum.