| These insects have a hardening of the forewings to form an elytra which protects the hind wings as well as the abdomen. |
| Thus, in the order Coleoptera, the elytra of the male of Rhagium meridianum F. are testaceous, and those of the female black. |
| The body fossil record of arthropods in the Chinle Formation is limited to beetle elytra and a few poorly preserved wings of orthopteran insects. |
| Because beetle elytra may be common fossils in Pleistocene deposits, they are often important sources of data on Pleistocene environments. |
| The elytra are soldered at the median edge, so that it cannot spread its wings to fly. |
| More, the wings are of the colour of the elytra, and without any white spots. |
