pent atom a

[Pref. pent a-, and Gr. tomē =a cutting; temno cut.] Entom. Forest-bug, Wood-bug; the typical genus of the old family Pent atom ide (q. v.). *pěn-ta-tom-i-de, s . pl . [Mod. Latin pentatom(a); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -idæ .] Entom.: An old family of Land Bugs, founded by Leach, recognized by Stephens, Swains on, . Now merged in Scutata (q. v.).