<P> In most species of beetles , the front pair of wings are modified and sclerotised ( hardened ) to form elytra and they protect the delicate hindwings which are folded beneath . The elytra are connected to the pterathorax ; being called as such because it is where the wings are connected ( pteron meaning `` wing '' in Greek ) . The elytra are not used for flight , but tend to cover the hind part of the body and protect the second pair of wings ( alae ) . The elytra must be raised in order to move the hind flight wings . A beetle 's flight wings are crossed with veins and are folded after landing , often along these veins , and are stored below the elytra . In some beetles , the ability to fly has been lost . These include some ground beetles ( family Carabidae ) and some `` true weevils '' ( family Curculionidae ) , but also some desert and cave - dwelling species of other families . Many of these species have the two elytra fused together , forming a solid shield over the abdomen . In a few families , both the ability to fly and the elytra have been lost , with the best known example being the glow - worms of the family Phengodidae , in which the females are larviform throughout their lives . </P>
where are the elytra located if they are present on an insect
connected to the pterathorax