The hardened or leathery front wings (elytra) found in certain insects, where the wings are partly hardened and partly membranous.
From Greek 'hemi-' (half) + 'elytron' (a cover or sheath, referring to the hardened forewings of beetles). The plural of hemielytron, referring to the modified wing structure in certain insects.
Hemielytra are the genius middle-ground solution in insect evolution—insects like true bugs have wings that are half-armor (hardened for protection) and half-transparent membrane (for actual flying), giving them protection without sacrificing mobility.
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