View source for Elytron

{{Short description|Hardened insect forewing}}
{{for multi|the elytra of annelids|Elytron (annelid anatomy)|the academic journal|Elytron (journal){{!}}''Elytron'' (journal)}}
[[File:Maybug.jpg|right|260px|thumb|The elytra of this [[cockchafer]] beetle are readily distinguished from the transparent hindwings.]]

An '''elytron''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|l|ɪ|t|r|ɒ|n}}; {{etymology|grc|''ἔλυτρον'' (élutron)|sheath, cover}}; {{plural form}}: '''elytra''', {{IPAc-en|pron|ˈ|ɛ|l|ɪ|t|r|ə}})<ref name=":0">{{OED|url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/elytron_n|title=elytron, n.}}</ref><ref>{{LSJ|e)/lutron|ἔλυτρον|ref}}.</ref> is a modified, hardened [[forewing]] of [[beetle]]s (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs ([[Hemiptera]]) such as the family [[Schizopteridae]] are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called '''hemelytra''' (sometimes alternatively spelled as "hemielytra"), and in most species only the basal half is thickened while the apex is membranous, but when they are entirely thickened the condition is referred to as "coleopteroid".<ref>Tihelka, Erik et al. “Mimicry in Cretaceous Bugs.” iScience vol. 23,7 (2020): 101280. {{doi|10.1016/j.isci.2020.101280}}</ref> An elytron is sometimes also referred to as a '''shard'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of SHARD |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shard |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Glyptocombus (10.3897-zookeys.796.24176) Figure 2.jpg|thumb|left|Hemelytra in [[Schizopteridae]]; figures B and C are considered "coleopteroid" as they lack membrane]]
[[File:Ripiphorus fasciatus-complex.jpg|thumb|''[[Ripiphorus fasciatus]]''-complex, female]]

==Description==
The elytra primarily serve as protective wing-cases for the [[hindwing]]s underneath, which are used for flying. To fly, a beetle typically opens the elytra and then extends the hindwings, flying while still holding the elytra open, though many beetles in the families [[Scarabaeidae]] and [[Buprestidae]] can fly with the elytra closed (e.g., most [[Cetoniinae]]; <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Šípek |first1=Petr |last2=Fabrizi |first2=Silvia |last3=Eberle |first3=Jonas |last4=Ahrens |first4=Dirk |date=2016 |title=A molecular phylogeny of rose chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) reveals a complex and concerted morphological evolution related to their flight mode |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1055790316300938 |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |language=en |volume=101 |pages=163–175 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2016.05.012|pmid=27165937 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>).

In a number of groups, the elytra are reduced to various degrees, (e.g., the beetle families [[Staphylinidae]] and [[Ripiphoridae]]), or secondarily lost altogether, as in various [[Elateroidea]] lineages with wingless females.

In some flightless groups, the elytra are present but fused together, and the hindwings are absent (e.g., some [[ground beetle]]s (Carabidae), [[scarab beetle]]s, and [[weevil]]s).

== In popular culture ==
* The video game ''[[Minecraft]]'' features elytra<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cyre |first=Clayton |date=2024-05-12 |title=Minecraft Fan Builds Incredible Elytra Racecourse |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-fan-elytra-racecourse/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> as an item that allows the player to [[Unpowered flight|glide]] in a similar fashion to a [[Hang gliding|hang glider]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Insect anatomy]]