1774, plural of elytron "hardened wing of an insect," from Greek elytron "sheath," from elyein "to roll round," from PIE root *wel- (3) "to turn, roll," with de [..]

The anterior leathery or chitinous wings of beetles and leafhoppers; serve as coverings to the hind wings and commonly meet at rest in a straight line down the middle of the dorsum.

the hardened fore wings of beetles and earwigs. Read more on: Elytra

(n) either of the horny front wings in beetles and some other insects which cover and protect the functional hind wings

first pair of wings that are modified to form a hard shell

the hardened or leathery or chitinous forewings of beetles that serve as covers to the hindwings and commonly meet in a straight line down the middle when the beetle is at a standstill

The hard outer wings of a beetle or other insect. Elytra help protect the insect.

the hard upper-wings of a beetle (Glossary of PM)

overlapping scales which resemble small wings. In worms, and especially the Scaled Worm, Lepidonotus melanogrammus.

The protective hardened case that covers an insects body (mainly wings).

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