bɪkˈʌz ðə ʃˈiːld kənsˈɪstᵻd ʌv wˈʌn sˈɑːlɪd pˈiːs, ɪt pɹˈɑːbəbli dɪdnˌɑːt ɡɹˈoʊ dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðɪ ˈænɪməlz lˈaɪf; pɹɪzˈuːməbli, ðə lˈɑːɹviː lˈækt ðə ʃˈiːld, wˌɪtʃ ˈoʊnli ɐpˈɪɹd lˈeɪɾɚɹ ɪn lˈaɪf.
Because the shield consisted of one solid piece, it probably did not grow during the animal's life; presumably, the larvae lacked the shield, which only appeared later in life.