wing case

noun

Entomology.

1. elytron.

wing-case

noun

1. the nontechnical name for elytron

Word History and Origins

Origin of wing case¹

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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Science Magazine

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

Read more on Scientific American

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

Read more on Literature