Elytra
Elytra (singular Elytron; Greek .: Elytron "shell", "ceiling") are always vein loose wing covers certain insects . They are thickened by increased chitinization and reinforced by sclerotization . Drawings and structures that resemble the typical venation of insect wings may appear. In the case of Elytres, however, these do not originate from the tracheas , but correspond to secondary structures. If, on the other hand, there is a vein on the wing that can be traced back to the trachea, it is another type of wing that can be distinguished from the elytra, such as tegmina or hemielytra .
Elytres are found mainly in beetles (Coleoptera), but also in earwigs (Dermaptera) and some other insects.
Since the function, shape, size and position in flight are similar for all wing types, see cover wing .
swell
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