squama

squama (noun; plural -mae; Latin squama, scale): 1. Any decumbent scale.

2. (Arthropoda: Crustacea) A scale-like exopod of the antenna. See also scaphocerite.

3. (Arthropoda: Insecta) a. In Hymenoptera, a dorsolateral lobe of the phallobase; in ants, the first abdominal segment. b. In Hemiptera, the fimbriate or spine-like marginal process of coccoids; plates; scaly hairs. c. In Lepidoptera, the scale-like structure covering the wing base of the fore wings

See also: patagium. d. In Diptera, the calypters; palpiger; alar squama; antisquama; alula; in mosquitoes, the short broad scales on the wing veins; median scale; flat scale. e. In Odonata, the lateral expansion of the mentum. f. In Diaspidinae, see gland spines. 4. (Mollusca: Bivalvia) A thin, long, concentric imbrication.