wing case

American  

noun

Entomology.

1. elytron.

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wing-case British  

noun

1. the nontechnical name for elytron

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Etymology

Origin of wing case

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Now, 3D scans have revealed that layered structures in its interlocking wing cases make the beetle twice as hardy as some of its relatives — and could inspire engineers to create more durable designs.

From Scientific American

Birds were up to three times less likely to find worms in the iridescent wing cases than in the noniridescent ones, the team reports today in Current Biology.

From Science Magazine

The blueberry-size, long-legged insect leans its bumpy body into the wind, letting droplets of fog accumulate and drip down its wing case into its mouth.

From Science Magazine

Like other beetles, fireflies have a pair of hardened wing cases, called elytra, that the wings fold underneath.

From Scientific American

His dæmon, a large and iridescent green-backed beetle, clicked her wing cases.

From Literature