Some time ago I remember reading one good website with tons of interesting facts about beetles, it's such a shame that it'sno longer functional - I think it was one of the most informative ! (luckily, I could still find its archived version here, on one of the Forums)
What has especially attracted my attention is some, - I would say, - unique information (because I've never found it anywhere else neither before nor after) about beetles Elytra and how it is important for them ! apparently, the very name Coleoptera refers to "hardened wings" or ... ELYTRA! After reading it I wondered: may be it is about a time that humans get themselves a pair of Elytra for the sake of preservation of human species ? :)
Please notice a paragraph where some other usage of Elytra mentioned:
1) moisture collector (in desert beetles);
2) air reservoir (in swimming and diving beetles).
Remember those "Moisture farms" on planet Tatooine in "Star wars" movie? In the very first one, (now known as Episode IV) Luke Skywalker was helping his Uncle to buy 2 droids to be used on their "moisture farm". Well, may be it is a good idea to employ rather beetles then droids !
So, here is some excerpt from that website :
(there rest you can read there on the Link given above)
Information about beetles
Beetles might be the most successful creatures on earth! Their incredible ability to adapt to any environment makes sure that they will exist, probably long after humans have disappeared from earth. One of the most important features of the beetles that makes them distinctly beetles is their elytra, the hard exoskeletal covering over their wings. Elytra have many functions, but the most important is protection for the beetle.
Some species are able to trap moisture on their wings and keep it because the elytra protects it from the heat and wind. This has allowed some species to travel to deserts, where moisture is scarce, because they can carry their own water with them. Other species can live under water because they are able to trap air in their wings and keep it under the elytra.
How did beetles get their names?
The order name Coleoptera is pronounced "co-le-OP-ter-a." This name was first used by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., more than 5,000 years ago! It comes from the Greek words "koleos," which means sheath (or shield), and "ptera," which means wings. The name refers to the fact that most beetles have hardened front wings, termed elytra, which cover the folded hind wings like a sheath. Insects in the order Coleoptera are commonly called beetles. The common name "beetle" comes from older English words for a "little biter". Larvae of some species are called grubs, wire-worms, and root-worms.
More about beetles:
Coleoptera is the largest order in the entire animal kingdom. There are more species of beetles than species of plants! There are about 350,000 named species of beetles in the world and many more unnamed species...
Characteristics of Beetles
Wings:
Beetles usually have two sets of wings, the hard front wings, or elytra (elytron is singular), and the soft hind wings for flying. The hind wings are folded under the elytra when not in use. The elytra usually extend to the tip, or near the tip, of the abdomen. A special feature of Coleoptera is that the elytra meet in a straight line on the back. Some beetles, such as rove beetles, have short elytra, and most of the abdomen is exposed.