What feature do beetles' wings typically display?

Beetles are characterized by their hard and shiny wings, which are known as elytra. These elytra serve multiple critical functions. They protect the more delicate hind wings, which are used for flight, and they shield the beetle’s abdomen when the beetle is at rest. The hard texture not only offers protection from physical damage and predators but also aids in reducing water loss, allowing beetles to inhabit a variety of environments, from deserts to rainforests. The shiny appearance is due to the structural coloration and the smooth surface of the elytra, which can also help in camouflage or in sexual signaling within some species. Such adaptations illustrate the evolutionary significance of beetles' wings within their ecological niches.