An elytron is a modified, hardened forewing of certain insect orders, notably beetles and a few of the true bugs such as the family Schizopteridae; in most true bugs, the forewings are instead called hemelytra, as only the basal half is thickened while the apex is membranous.

What is the meaning hemelytra?

(hɛˈmɛlɪˌtrɒn ) or hemielytron (ˌhɛmɪˈɛlɪˌtrɒn ) nounWord forms: plural -tra (-trə) the forewing of plant bugs and related insects, having a thickened base and a membranous apex.

What is the difference between elytra and hemelytra?

Beetles have hard and leathery forewings called elytra and long membranous hind wings hidden below. ... Forewings of bugs, called hemelytra, are made of two dissimilar halves. They are hard at the base and membranous at the tip. Hind wings of bugs are also membranous and shorter than the forewings.