ˈtegyələ noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, tile — more at thatch
1. plural tegu·lae -yəˌlē
a. : one of a pair of small scalelike sclerites of the mesothorax of some insects (as of the orders Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera) that cover the bases of the forewings
b. : a patagium of a lepidopterous insect
c. : the alula of a dipterous insect
2. capitalized : a widely distributed genus of turban shells sometimes used for food